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Other Student Opportunities

Check out the below resources and opportunities for students and graduates!

USGS Internships and other Student/Recent Graduate Job Opportunities

Applying Through USAJOBS

The USGS offers a wide variety of employment opportunities for U.S. citizens who are recent graduates or current students (including those accepted for enrollment in a qualifying educational program) with concentrations in geology, hydrology, ecology, biology, cartography, chemistry, computer science, and many other disciplines and business fields supporting science. USGS student positions are publicly advertised year round on USAJOBS.

Interested applicants should go to USAJOBS, create a profile and resume, and upload supporting documents such as unofficial transcripts. See below resources on how to apply for opportunities through USAJOBS:

 

Tips for Applying Through USAJOBS

Tips for Applying Through USAJOBS

Video: How to Apply for Internships

Video: How to Apply for Internships

Video: How to Apply for Graduate Jobs

Video: How to Apply for Graduate Jobs

 

Finding Internships and Graduate Job Opportunities

Job searches can be done by selecting either "Find Internships" or "Find Recent Graduate Jobs" and refining the search results under Department and Agency by selecting Department of the Interior: Geological Survey. For a current listing of available USGS opportunities, visit the following links:

 

Recent Graduate Opportunities

Recent Graduate Opportunities

Student Internships

Student Internships

All USGS Job Opportunities

All USGS Job Opportunities

In addition, students should reach out to scientists and career counselors at their school to ask about USGS opportunities. Many USGS offices are closely associated with universities and have ongoing student projects. Find the USGS office nearest your home or school.

 

USGS University Collaborations

The USGS has three types of formal collaborations with universities in which USGS scientists are also university faculty. Students who are interested fisheries and wildlife sciences, climate science, and water research should consider studying at one of these affiliate universities. 

 

George Snyder at the research command center aboard the M/V Bold Horizon
Cooperative Research Units

The Cooperative Research Units are collaborations between USGS, a university, and state agencies in the fields of fisheries and wildlife science. There are 42 CRUs in 40 states. They focus on research an actionable science, technical assistance, and graduate education.
A group of people gather around a list of climate adaptation strategies inside of a conference room.
Climate Adaptation Science Centers

The Climate Adaptation Science Centers are networks of colleges and universities focused on climate science. There are 9 regional CASCS; each has a lead university, plus 2-8 affiliate schools. Many of the CASCs are also affiliated with tribal and other governments.
Image: New USGS Large Research Vessels In the Water
Water Resource Research Institutes

The Water Resource Research Institutes were established by federal law as a Federal -State partnership in research and training related to water. There are 54 WRRIs located in all 50 states and Washington DC, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands and Guam, each at a state university.

 

Virtual Student Federal Service

This virtual internship (e-Internship) program allows college-level students to contribute about 10 hours per week to a project hosted by a participating government agency. Managed by the Department of State, the VSFS program enables eInterns to work remotely on projects all over the world. Since 2016,  USGS has had several virtual internships each year. The annual cycle is 

  • May-early June: Agencies post job opportunities

  • July: Students choose 3 internships and apply

  • August: interviews and selection

  • School Year: Internship - schedule mutually agreed upon by intern and mentor.