Internship FAQ

The National Association of Colleges and Employers defines an internship as a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting. Internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career paths; and give employers the opportunity to guide and evaluate talent.

Your internship should align with your field of study and amplify the work you are doing in your course curriculum to prepare you for your future career. 

• Detailed job description 
• Alignment with your specific RWFM track and job duties that allow you to apply what you learn in the classroom
• Agreed upon project that benefits both the student and internship location 
• Assigned supervisor 
• Weekly meetings to discuss goals
• Exposure to numerous aspects of the site 
• Mid-term and final evaluation

• Internships that are strictly manual labor or don’t amplify knowledge from your coursework
• Internships where the duties do not connect to your career aspirations or field of study 
• Internships at retail establishments

Ideally, your supervisor should not be related to you. Gaining experience with navigating a supervisory relationship with someone you don’t know is ideal and better emulates what you will experience after graduating.

In addition to Aggie Core Values, an intern should demonstrate

• Coursework knowledge or experience in natural resources
• Good oral and written communication skills
• The ability to work independently
• A strong work ethic and motivation
• The ability to listen, understand and retain instructions
• A willingness to work evenings or weekends
• Physical capability to perform required work duties

• RWFM Job Board 
• HireAggies 
• Your personal network 
• RWFM Internship Program held each Fall. Dr. Melissa Shehane will shares opportunities via the RWFM listserv.

No, the amount of credit hours and writing requirements are different.

• WFSC Legacy
  • To receive 3 credit hours for a professional internship, students must complete 136 hours of work experience relating to the WFSC major. The required number of hours varies per student. 
  • Note: 45 internship hours is equal to 1 credit hour and 3 credit hours (a total of 136 hours) is required for internship credit.

• RWFM tracks
  • Rangeland management track: 1 internship credit (minimum 90 intern hours)
  • Wildlife management track: 1 internship credit (minimum 90 intern hours)
  • Aquaculture and fisheries management track: No internship credits required for specific catalogs, but double check with your academic advisor if you have questions 
  • Natural resource management and policy track: 1 internship credit (minimum 90 intern hours)