Interns & Fellows

FAQ

Q: How do I apply? 
A: Register at the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointments (SOLAA) system.

Once you have set up an account, click "Start Your Application" and select "Smithsonian Environmental Research Center" from the Office/Museum/Research Center drop-down menu. "Smithsonian Environmental Research Center Internship Program" will then appear under the search results. Click the green "Apply Now" button.

You will need to provide an essay, CV or resume, academic transcript (unofficial is preferred), and contact information for at least one reference. The SOLAA system will send an email to your reference asking them to provide a letter of recommendation.

Q: Where can I learn more about the kinds of projects that past interns have been involved in?
A: We have some information from past interns here. We've also got a playlist of some of the videos that interns have made about their projects on the SERC YouTube channel. If you look at the pages for the labs listed in the Research Projects, some of them have information about past interns too.

Q: Are these paid internships? 
A: Yes! Selected candidates will receive a stipend of $650.00 per week. 

Q: Are there specific start and end dates for the internships? 
A: Specific start and end dates are generally mutually decided by the intern and the mentor. We do this to accommodate the needs of different interns and of specific projects. If you have specific requirements (a specific date that you can't start before or a specific date when you need your internship to end), there is a space in the SOLAA application that asks about dates where you can indicate this. If you do not have any time restrictions, you can leave the dates section of the application on SOLAA blank. 

Q: What is the timeline for when I'll hear back about whether I was accepted? 
A: The timeline varies by opportunity. In the spring, winter, and fall, internships are unusually associated with specific projects that have a dedicated posting associated with them. For those, notifications are generally made within one month of the application deadline. 

In the summer, all of the applications go into a central pool where they can be reviewed by all interested labs, and there are not specific postings for individual positions. We don't start to review any applications until after the February 15 deadline. The timing of application review varies somewhat by lab, but we try to notify all applicants by mid-April.

Q: How many hours per week should I expect to work for this internship?
A: SERC internships are full-time, so you can expect to work a full 40-hour workweek, Monday through Friday. If you’re working remotely, hours can be based on your time zone (so West Coast interns would work from 8am-4:30pm or 9am-5:30pm Pacific Time, not Eastern Time).

Q: Can I receive academic credit?
A: The Smithsonian awards no academic credit for studies conducted at the Institution. However, SERC is eager to assist in establishing mechanisms for universities to award credit to students. Representatives of colleges and universities wishing to develop formal agreements should contact the Office of Fellowships and Internships. Students are encouraged to work out direct arrangements with advisors and departments. 

Q: Are there remote internship opportunities? 
A: We do have some remote internship opportunities, generally focused on analysis of existing data sets. However, the majority of our internships require folks to be on-site because they involve fieldwork and lab work components. Remote opportunities are not listed separately from on-site opportunities, and there is not a separate list of remote projects. Specific projects (whether remote or on-site) are generally not discussed until the interview stage. If you are only able to participate in a remote internship, you should include this information, as well as why and how you think that you will still benefit from the opportunity, in your personal statement.

Q: Is there housing for interns at SERC?
A: For most interns, on-site dormitory housing is available free of charge. SERC does not have a cafeteria on-site, but the dorms are equipped with full kitchens. We can accommodate up to 28 dorm residents. 

Q: Do I need to bring a car?
A: SERC is located about 10 miles south of Annapolis, Maryland. We recommend interns bring a vehicle for personal transportation, if possible. SERC has a fleet of vehicles available for work purposes. For those interns without a personal vehicle, ride-sharing with interns who have vehicles generally works out.

Q: What should I include in the personal essay?
A: Describe your interest in environmental studies, why you are interested in interning at the Smithsonian, and any relevant background experience. You may also use this section to describe your future career goals and how a SERC internship will help you. Essays for all internships should be no longer than 4 double-spaced pages. 

Pro tip for personal essays: Don't just talk about your past experience. Show us how this internship would give you something new! Smithsonian internships are meant to be learning experiences, especially for students who have had fewer opportunities outside schoolwork. Let your application reviewers know how this experience would benefit you beyond another line on a resume.

For science writing applicants only: You must also include 1-3 published or unpublished writing samples as part of the essay portion. Additional writing samples for the science writing internship should be no more than 10 pages (not including the personal essay). Multimedia samples are also welcome, though not required, as long as at least one writing sample is written. Include multimedia samples as links in the personal essay, or email them to Kristen Goodhue. A wide variety of writing samples are accepted, and they don't have to be published. For more information, check out the Science Writing Internship page.

Q: How many letters of recommendation are needed for SERC internship application?
A. Even though the SOLAA application states that two letters of recommendation are required, SERC only requires one for a complete application. If there are more, it is not a problem, but you only need one to satisfy our requirements.

Q: What if my recommendation writer doesn’t meet the application deadline?
A: SERC generally allows a 2-week grace period for recommendation letters to come in, since we know this part of the process is partly beyond the applicant’s control. It’s always best to give your recommenders plenty of notice and encourage them to submit their letters by the deadline. Many times the email link sent to referees goes into SPAM folder and is missed, so please remind your referees to check those folders as well.

Q: What if my recommendation writer is having trouble submitting their letter in SOLAA?
A: As a first step, you can reach out to SOLAA technical support (OCIOServiceDesk@si.edu). They can often resend the invitation to your recommendation writer. 

Have a different question?
Contact Alison Cawood at CawoodA@si.edu