Internships
Center of the American West Internships Program
The Center of the American West offers internship opportunities for CU-Â鶹ӰԺ undergraduates (juniors and seniors) to work for public and private organizations on projects that deal with Western topics and issues and offer professional training for the student.
These 3-credit hour internships foster students’ development as community leaders working for a sustainable West. Past projects include management of natural resources, the search for resolution of cultural conflicts, and the design and implementation of public environmental policy.Ìý Qualified applicants attend a screening interview at Center of the American West, and the top candidate is then referred to the employer organization for a final interview.ÌýAfter interview and selection for the position, interns must register for the Center’s Internships Program class —Ìý CAMW3939Ìý— and are required to work 120 on-the-job hours through the semester. Interns will attend an orientation meeting and will meet with a faculty sponsor for advising on the academic components of the internship which include weekly journal entries, mid-term and final reflection papers, and final presentations.
To qualify, applicants must be current degree program students at CU-Â鶹ӰԺ with a minimum of 60 credit hours in progress at time of application, and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
CAW Internships - Spring 2026
Fletcher Lucas - The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
ÌýI'm an ENVS Major, Geology Minor, and Western American Studies Certificate Student. I'm from Denver and have a huge interest in conservation, particularly in the Western US. This internship with TNC has helped me explore what a job in conservation could look like, both in office work and out in the field. I got the chance to research different ecological conditions in different river corridors in order to give people at TNC recommendations in how to manage these river systems, both on an ecological level and on a communication and organizational relationship level. I also had the chance to research species management in a grassland ecosystem and gave recommendations for how Ornate Box Turtles and Thick Billed Longspurs could be better managed. Lastly, I got to go out into the field at Chambers Preserve in Westminster and learn how to collect geospatial data and pick up trash. I met some incredibly knowledgeable people, and this was overall an amazing experience. I gained some important insight into my future career goals, particularly around what types of skills would be beneficial to develop and what further education I may want to pursue after finishing my undergrad. I'm so grateful to TNC and CAW for this opportunity and I feel this internship gave me a lot of guidance and hope for my future and the future of our world as a whole.
Maggie Sublett - The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
ÌýI gained valuable experience in administrative project work, field monitoring, and professional networking. Facilitating meetings and maintaining a consistent office routine strengthened my sense of professionalism, while hands-on project work gave me practical insight into environmental subfields (land management and forestry) beyond what I could learn in the classroom.
Alongside with the project work, I especially valued the informational interviews and opportunities to collaborate with supervisors and team members. The seed de-winging project was particularly rewarding, as working with professionals from Â鶹ӰԺ Open Space and our New Mexico seed coordinator gave me firsthand experience in professional collaboration and idea sharing.
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CAW Internships - Spring 2025
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I'm a recent graduate from the Â鶹ӰԺ, where I majored in Anthropology, minored in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and earned a certificate in Animals and Society. Originally from Tennessee, I’ve always had a deep sense of biophilia, which inspired my move to Colorado to explore the natural beauty of the American West. At CU, my studies introduced me to the field of primatology and sparked a strong interest in wildlife conservation. This passion deepened during my internship with The Nature Conservancy, through the Center of the American West. There, I gained firsthand insight into the inner workings of a leading conservation organization and connected with scientists and professionals united by a shared mission: protecting Colorado’s natural resources and addressing the impacts of climate change. This experience left a lasting impression on me. It not only expanded my understanding of conservation in practice but also showed me the power of collaboration, research, and dedication in turning environmental goals into tangible outcomes. Most importantly, it gave me hope for the future—and a clearer vision of the paths I can pursue to contribute to meaningful environmental change.
- Shea McCarthy (second from left)
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Olivia Meyer (third from left) earned her B.A. in Environmental Studies & Psychology at CU Â鶹ӰԺ in 2025 with a focus on ecological management and social-environmental relations. She has worked in the addiction psychology field and as a CU student ambassador for over two years, gaining experience in understanding human behavior and the importance of community relations, and has aspirations of working in ecological management projects at the local level and beyond. The internship through the Center of the American West at The Nature Conservancy offered a unique experience to learn more about environmental challenges specific to Colorado and the West while interacting with communities and individuals involved in these challenges. During the internship, Olivia engaged in environmental research, data management, and hands-on fieldwork in various sectors of TNC. The mentors and work done were fantastic and it was great to get experience in working in the social-environmental interface where TNC resides.Ìý
Spring 2025 Internship Slide Decks
