Internships

With the support of an academic supervisor, an internship is an opportunity to gain practical experience, develop skills, and build professional networks in an organisation relevant to your studies.

Master of Environment students are required to complete either a research-based subject or an internship subject. Before deciding to do an internship, consider the following:

  • What are your learning objectives?
  • The costs of taking an internship overseas or interstate.
  • Have you got enough space in your study plan?
  • Does the internship clash with other subjects?

Several faculties offer internship subjects to Master of Environment students:

Faculty of Science

Further information: Faculty of Science Internship Subjects webpage

Available subjectsDetailAffiliated organisationsContact
SCIE90027
Ecosystem Internship
  • Summer
  • Semester 1
  • Semester 2
  • 25 points
 

Subject coordinator:
Dr Antanas Spokevicius

Internship Coordinator:
science-industry-internships@unimelb.edu.au

GEOG90022 International Internship in Environment
  • Summer
  • Semester 1
  • Semester 2
  • 25 points
Northern Policy Institute; Environment Monitoring Station, Tianjin; Ministry of Development, Brunei; Mauritius Wildlife Foundation; Shenhzen Water Planning and Design Institute; United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC); Wuhan Qingshan District Environmental Protection; Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environmental Programme; Earth Systems Asia; United Nations ESCAP; Beijing Water Authority.

Subject coordinator:
Prof. Rod Keenan

Internship Coordinator:
science-industry-internships@unimelb.edu.au

SCIE90017 Science and Technology Internship
  • Summer, Semester 1, Semester 2
  • 12.5 points
  • Local and international
City of Melbourne; Practical Ecology; Yarra Energy Foundation; Parks Victoria; DELWP; Resilient Melbourne; Arthur Rylah Institute; Environment Victoria; Melbourne Water; Dolphin Research Institute; Ernst & Young.

Internship Coordinator:
science-industry-internships@unimelb.edu.au

Faculty of Arts

Available subjectsDetailContact
DEVT90002 Internship in Development
  • January
  • Semester 1
  • Semester 2
  • 12.5 points

Internship Coordinator:
Ali Reza Yunespour

Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences

Available subjectsDetailContact
AGRI90076 Industry Internship
  • Summer
  • Semester 1
  • Semester 2
  • 12.5 points
Subject Coordinator:
A/Prof Ros Gall

How do I secure an internship?

Internship subjects are unique in that they can take several weeks to organise. It is important that you discuss internships with your course coordinator during course planning and with the internship consultant in the relevant Faculty.

We recommend the following steps to secure and manage your internship:

  1. Prepare your resources, including your CV. Stop 1 offers free consultations and workshops to help you with your CV and cover letter. Some internships will also require an expression of interest;
  2. Research potential host organisations (for additional resources, refer to the bottom of this page), and make a shortlist;
  3. Contact host organisations:
    • Find whomever in the organisation is likely to be your supervisor;
    • Email or call;
    • If unsuccessful, persevere! Focus on the next organisation on your list;
  4. Complete required paperwork to add your chosen internship subject to your study plan. The process here differs slightly between faculties, but the first step for all is to contact your subject coordinator;
  5. Organise pre-placement classes with your subject coordinator. These will provide you with important information about managing your internship and getting the most out of your experience;
  6. Maintain contact with your subject coordinator throughout your internship.

Student stories

Many of our students have undertaken internships in Australia and overseas, some of which have led directly to jobs with the company. Here are some of their stories:

'The science and technology internship at 1Circle through the University of Melbourne helped me to identify my career path and understand the connections between study and the application of knowledge and skills into the ‘real world’. It’s been a great pleasure to assist 1Circle in helping clients in becoming more energy-efficient and reducing their carbon emissions. I strongly recommend the internship subject if you are interested in planning and achieving your dreamed career.'

Amy Cox

Amy Cox shares her experience at the International Water Management Institute in Myanmar.

Eleanor Lang

Eleanor Lang shares her experience at the Centre for Sustainable Rural Development in Vietnam.

Paulina Valdes

Intern with 1Circle Pty Ltd

"The science and technology internship at 1Circle through the University of Melbourne helped me to identify my career path and understand the connections between study and the application of knowledge and skills into the ‘real world’. It’s been a great pleasure to assist 1Circle in helping clients in becoming more energy-efficient and reducing their carbon emissions. I strongly recommend the internship subject if you are interested in planning and achieving your dreamed career."

Additional resources

Financial aid:
Travel Insurance
Mobility Awards
OS-HELP loan (for local students)

Databases specific to environmental studies:
Green Career
Sustainability Victoria
Careers Online
Sustainability Matters
Australian Government: Department of Industry, Innovation and Science

Also consider professional associations and peak bodies, such as the Energy Users Association of Australia.

General databases:
(Note: internships advertised here are often structured programs and may not align with subject requirements.)
Seek
MyCareer
CareerOne