Calendar of Events

Office of Sustainability

12
51
Our Hours Today:
8:30am - 5:00 pm

Internship Program

Want to gain job experience, help the environment, and earn upper-level academic credit? 

Intern with us!

As an Office of Sustainability Intern, you will gain real-world experience managing sustainability initiatives on campus. All interns are involved in all parts of campus sustainability - including the SwapShop, Rocket composter, Native Plant Garden, and Food Recovery Network, along with other various opportunities that come up each semester. Our goal is for the interns to be at the forefront of whatever sustainability projects are happening on campus. The latter part of the internship will entail personal projects for interns to take ownership in executing. We are looking for interns who are flexible, adaptable, and ready to make a difference!

Our team is composed of two types of internships. 

Empire State Service Corps
2-4 Academic Credits
    • Academic year-long minimum commitment with SUNY-wide Empire State Service Corps
    • Paid hourly at rate of $17/hour 
    • Expected work of 300 hours for the academic year
      • Average 10 hours a week
    • Internal application to Office of Sustainability and additional external application to SUNY system
    • Semester-long minimum commitment
    • Payment on first-come, first-service basis from Career Development Center stipend
    • Expected work at least 75 hours per semester
      • 2 credits for 6 hours a week
      • 4 credits for 10 hours a week
    • Internal application to Office of Sustainability only

FALL 2026 APPLICATION FORM

Academic interns must have the following qualifications to proceed with the application.

    • At least sophomore academic credit status
    • Good academic standing
    • 2 credits in your fall academic semester schedule
    • Average 6 hours a week throughout the semester to reach total 75
    • (Strongly recommended) Previous volunteer work with sustainability initiatives on campus

If you cannot commit to the full internship in a given semester, consider the volunteer options available. We are always looking for help! 

Applications for fall 2026 internships are OPEN NOW!

Please submit this application form by April 30, 2026 to apply for a fall 2026 internship. 

This application includes a submission of your resume and a cover letter. In your cover letter, make sure you answer the following prompts:

  1. State your academic path including your credit status and major.
  2. Explain why sustainability is important to you and why you are interested in this internship.
  3. Explain what work you have already done related to sustainability (can be campus volunteer work or at a previous job/school).
  4. Explain what experience you have working collaboratively and how you navigate working as part of a team (can be in classes, jobs, anything and doesn’t have to relate to sustainability).

Application Deadline: April 30, 2026

Campus Collaborators

Working on the Sustainability Team means that you get mentoring from faculty outside of your usual classes. You will also work closely with the campus Sustainability Advisory and Outreach Committee and all the other interns and volunteers, helping you grow your campus network!

Jordan Shue (Chair, Arts Management BA and Arts and Cultural Management MA) is faculty sponsor for all campus sustainability internships ... Jordan Shue (Chair, Arts Management BA and Arts and Cultural Management MA) is faculty sponsor for all campus sustainability internships and coordinates the academic content of internship experiential learning.

Dr. Ragnhild Utheim (School of Liberal Studies Director) is faculty sponsor for the Food Recovery Network (FRN) Chapter at Purchase Colle... Dr. Ragnhild Utheim (School of Liberal Studies Director) is faculty sponsor for the Food Recovery Network (FRN) Chapter at Purchase College and works closely with students, faculty, and staff to coordinate food recoveries on campus.

Dr. Allyson Jackson (ENV faculty) coordinates volunteer events and serves as site supervisor for all Sustainability Team internships. Dr. Allyson Jackson (ENV faculty) coordinates land stewardship activities, including the native plant garden. For 2025-26, she serves as site supervisor for all Sustainability Team internships.