We all want to make a difference. But too many internships require students to leave their conscience at home. If you want to put your ideals front and center, consider an internship with Environment Massachusetts.

Environment Massachusetts is a statewide non-profit that advocates for clean air, clean water, and open spaces. We uncover threats to public health and well-being and fight to end them, using the time-tested tools of investigative research, media exposes, grassroots organizing, advocacy and litigation.

For the Public Interest Network's Events Planning internship, please click here.

Each of Environment Massachusetts’s internships offers students a structured experience working one-on-one with one of Environment Massachusetts’s staff of advocates or campaign organizers - the intern's staff mentor. Interns learn basic skills that allow them to analyze issues and articulate solutions to the pressing problems of the day. Interns learn that activism and participation in the democratic process yield results. Though responsibilities vary, most internships include:

• Conducting research into critical public policy problems and preparing investigative reports.

• Coordinating media events, assisting in the preparation of news releases and opinion pieces.

• Attending meetings with lawmakers and other decision makers.

• Working with coalition partners and Environment Massachusetts staff to coordinate grassroots campaign activities.

• Monitoring the progress of legislation in the legislature and the actions of state agencies.

Although Environment Massachusetts internships are unpaid, students may receive academic credit from their college or university. Environment Massachusetts will also participate in college work study programs.

Field Internship: Work with Environment Massachusetts campaign and advocacy staff to demonstrate support for Environment Massachusetts issues at the state and national level. Over the course of the internship you will learn the basics of a variety of issues, and then reach out to individuals, media outlets, organizations, and decision-makers to build visibility and gain their support.

Legislative Internship: Over the course of the internship you will work with Environment Massachusetts’s advocacy staff gaining in depth knowledge on one or two specific issues. You may help to research and write reports, organize media events, build state-wide coalitions, and lobby governmental or corporate decision-makers in support of specific policy proposals.

Research Internship: Over the course of the internship you will work with Environment Massachusetts’s advocates to research and help write investigative reports on a number important environmental and consumer protection issues.

Media Internship: Over the course of the internship you will work with Environment Massachusetts’s Team to organize press conferences, pitch stories to reporters, respond to breaking news and requests for information and interviews, and assist in writing and placing opinion pieces.

Interns must be highly motivated and energetic, must enjoy working with other people, have good communication skills, and must desire to work independently on environmental issues.

Email a cover letter and resume to Colleen Spivey, cspivey@environmentmassachusetts.org