The hands on experience, plus doing work I would be doing as a full-time employee at a higher pay scale. The field work requires good teamwork and ability to solve problems on the fly. Office work is important and fulfilling, and requires knowledge learned in school. They are flexible and work with school schedules and understand that school is the priority while interning.
What I wish was different
Nothing. It's a good job.
Advice
Don't wait to graduate to look for a job. There are plenty of opportunities that will translate into a full-time job.
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Soil Conservationist
May - August 2019 • Belle Fourche, SD
What I liked
The training I received
What I wish was different
Wish I could have spent more time in the field.
Advice
Ask question, be open to hear new ideas.
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Student Trainee (Engineering)
May - August 2020 • Boise, ID
What I liked
It was a small department with only five engineers so I received a lot of one on one attention. Everyone was extremely kind and I learned a lot!
What I wish was different
Unfortunately I worked my internship during COVID so it was a lot of remote work. Without being in the office it was hard to ask for work so I did a lot of administrative type stuff because it was easier to teach online.
Advice
I would just say don't be afraid to ask for help or admit you don't know how to do something. As an intern they don't expect you to know how to do everything so accept projects they offer you and ask for help as you need it!
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Pathways Intern
May 2018 • Vineland, NJ
What I liked
I enjoyed working for the government, learning about farming and environmental science, and being able to speak with farmers in my area!
What I wish was different
This summer, I did a lot of training. I'll be doing it again next summer. I hope I'll be able to take on more projects.
Advice
I found this internship online through the USA jobs website. If anyone wants to get a government internship, be sure to check that site on a daily basis, and apply for every single internship you are interested in. Sometimes the internships will only stay up for a week.
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Soil conservationist intern
May - August 2021 • Paragould, AR
What I liked
Learning new things and seeing all the things that go into to the job
What I wish was different
I would have like to been able to more hands on work.
Advice
Get all the info about the job you can get while you are there.
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Pathways Forestry Intern
May 2019 • Petaluma, CA
What I liked
I liked the promise of a permanent position after graduation, as well as the trust that was placed in me by coworkers to help them complete the work. I also enjoyed the interdisciplinary experience I got, as I was working with all employees, not just Forestry work. The coworkers were very helpful, and I was trusted to complete my work without someone staring over my shoulder at all times.
What I wish was different
I would have liked a little more self-guided work and to have been provided with my own clients, rather than shadowing a forester the entire summer.
Advice
Ask questions, and do not be afraid to do things a little differently than others have done.
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Soil Scientist
May - August 2018 • Robstown, TX
What I liked
Working with soils in the lab and in the field
What I wish was different
More field time
Advice
Just do it
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Engineering intern
May - August 2018 • Greenville, TX
What I liked
Gained a wide variety of skills and experiences.
What I wish was different
Closer to home.
Advice
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Soil Conservationist Intern
May 2017 • Lancaster, NH
What I liked
It was a highly engaging, active, and interesting internship that opened many doors for future opportunities. I met a variety of people with differing areas of expertise and learned information that I wouldn't have usually learned through my college classes. I was always doing something new or something that contributed to a larger project that was underway.
What I wish was different
I wish that the summer had been longer!
Advice
Be prepared for the onboarding process with the government. It will take a lot of paperwork and patience.
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Rangeland technician
April - August 2016 • Cedar City, UT
What I liked
Plant and soil surveying all over southern Utah
What I wish was different
Been able to work longer at job.
Advice
Be ready to travel.
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Soil Conservationist
May - August 2018 • Fort Dodge, IA
What I liked
Working with the people in the office the most.
What I wish was different
I wished I was placed in a different area, or had more to do with pasture land.
Advice
Discuss what you expect from the internship with the DC you are working with.
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NRCS intern
May - August 2018 • Ipswich, SD
What I liked
It was interesting to learn about the different aspects of the agency and see how they help and affect the community around them.
What I wish was different
AC
Advice
Don't be afraid to ask for more work because when it becomes slow and you have nothing to do you want to do more work.
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Wildlife Biologist
January 2018 • Annapolis, MD
What I liked
Don't be afraid to search for conservation jobs outside the typical fields. The USDA has a lot of opportunities for biologists!
What I wish was different
Advice
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civil engineering intern
May - August 2019 • Waxahachie, TX
What I liked
I liked being with the other engineers. I learned about various agricultural water management systems. The engineers were willing to teach me things ai had not previously been exposed to.
What I wish was different
I wish I could have spent more time in the office using computer programs.
Advice
Be open to the entire experience. Not just working with engineers, but learning about everyone’s jobs.
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Soil Scientist Intern
May - August 2019 • North Platte, NE
What I liked
Learning about different soils in Nebraska and getting to do a lot of field work in the Sandhills and Loess canyons. Learning how to determine wetlands and focusing on the duties of a research soil scientist.
What I wish was different
More time spent out doors!
Advice
Government internships are very resourceful, I highly recommend them!
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Soil Conservation Technician
August 2016 • Mena, AR
What I liked
The people.
What I wish was different
The money.
Advice
Get a good pair of rubber boots.
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Soil Conservationist
June - August 2019 • Victorville, CA
What I liked
The experience as a whole and the atmosphere of the office. I love how diverse it was.
What I wish was different
I wish I had started earlier
Advice
Don’t be scared to travel and don’t be scared to try new things.
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Student Trainee
June 2019 • Vienna, IL
What I liked
The opportunities to learn about different ways to be a steward of the land in different landscapes.
What I wish was different
N/A.
Advice
Always be prepared for anything.
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Soil Conservation Intern
June - August 2019 • McMinnville, OR
What I liked
I was able to experience west-side conservation, have my own client, and receive financial advice from my supervisor.
What I wish was different
My supervisor was a little too chummy, but in regards to what I could have done differently, I would have liked to have done more research on the area ahead of time and have clear-cut educational goals that lined up with my IDP's.
Advice
Focus on your goals, not your field office's. You will be the best asset to the agency as a knowledgeable student, not a well-worked student.
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Soil Conservationist
May 2020 • Brookings, SD
What I liked
That the job changes each and every day, there are always new experiences in the office. It makes learning new things enjoyable!
What I wish was different
I would say that there is not one thing I would change, I like the different tasks that are always available.
Advice
Take notes, if you stay with the agency you are going to want those notes. Especially if you are on for multiple summers before being a full time and don't work during school.
