Internships
Center of the American West Internships Program
The Center of the American West offers internship opportunities for CU-Boulder 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. 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. After interview and selection for the position, interns must register for the Center’s Internships Program class — CAMW3939 — 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-Boulder with a minimum of 60 credit hours in progress at time of application, and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
I'm a recent graduate from the University of Colorado Boulder, 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)
Olivia Meyer (third from left) earned her B.A. in Environmental Studies & Psychology at CU Boulder 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.