Home > Conservation Internships 2012 > Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions 

Get the 411 on the 2012 Conservation Internship Program

  • When will the conservation internship positions for the 2012 season be posted on the ACF website?
    Three-month internships are posted, Alaska Native Fund internships forthcoming, and six-month internships will be posted in March.
  • Who is eligible to apply?
    You are eligible to apply for a conservation internship if you meet all or any of the following criteria:
  1. You are currently enrolled as an undergraduate or a graduate student in an accredited college or university in the United States or in an accredited institution abroad.
  2. You have recently graduated from an accredited college or university in the United States or an accredited institution abroad.
  3. You will be enrolled in an accredited college or university in the United States or in an accredited institution abroad by spring or summer 2012.  (Please note: preference for internship placements is given to rising college juniors and seniors, recent college graduates and graduate students.)
  4. You are an international student or recent college graduate legally authorized to work in the United States.
  5. You are enrolled or have graduated from a technical school program
  • What is the deadline for applications?
    Applications for the 3-month positions of the 2012 conservation internship program will be accepted starting on Feb 1, 2012 and ending at midnight on Feb 29, 2012. Please check back on the website for updates on the Alaska Native Fund and 6-month positions.
  • Where should I send my application?
    You should send your application directly to the host organization contact provided in the internship position posting.
  • Can I send my resume to the host organization to review before I submit my formal application?
    No – resumes should only be submitted as part of a complete application packet. ACF’S host organizations are not able to respond to inquiries or applications consisting of only a resume (whether submitted by a career center or an applicant).
  • How are interns chosen?
    Applicants must submit a complete application packet including the application form which asks for their top three choices – in order of preference – for an intern position.  Based on these choices, applications are then reviewed by the host organization staff to evaluate compatibility with the host organization’s job description as well as the goals of ACF’s Conservation Internship Program. Host organizations then determine which applicants they would like to interview and ultimately hire.
  • When will I hear if I am selected?
    All final notifications for three month internships will go out by March 31, 2011. Please check back for deadline information on native fund and 6-month internships.
  • Is there an orientation for interns?
    ACF typically hosts an in-person orientation for interns in early June.  This is a three-day meeting to introduce interns to their peers, community leaders, and the broader context in which they will be working.  ACF may also schedule a teleconference earlier in the spring to explain internship logistics. Host organizations are responsible for providing interns with an orientation to the specific organization and position.
  • What is the duration of a conservation internship?
    Internships are 12 or 24 weeks in duration. Most commence in May or June 2011.  Some, particularly 6-month positions, will begin in the fall. Exact dates are negotiated between successful applicants and host organizations.
  • Is there a stipend provided by ACF?
    ACF provides a stipend of approximately $5,000 for the 12-week internships and $10,000 for 24-week internships. This amount is provided directly to the host organization in the form of a grant and it is in turn paid to the intern as taxable salary.
  • Is travel assistance available?
    ACF will also provide funding to the host organizations to cover travel expenses for interns to and from their school or home to the host organization locations in Alaska as well as to and from ACF intern orientation, if they are able and choose to attend in person.  Specific details of this travel expense reimbursement process are currently under review and will be communicated later this winter.
  • Is local transportation support provided?
    Interns are responsible for their daily transportation to and from their host organizations.  Some interns bring their bikes, purchase a low-cost bike, carpool, walk, use public transportation, or share a vehicle.
  • Is housing support provided?
    Host organizations are responsible for assisting interns in finding low-cost housing prior to their arrival.
  • Can I receive college credit for my internship?
    Conservation interns need to coordinate directly with their universities to obtain course credit for their work.
  • Are internships available outside of the summer season?
    While most CIP internships  occur during the summer, this year’s program is undergoing some changes, and some internship positions will begin in early fall 2012. This will be true for most of the 6-month positions. Opportunities with other organizations may be available.  For information about other internship opportunities and jobs in Alaska, please check out our other internship opportunities web page (link) and Peg Tileston’s What’s Up listserv.
  • I have reviewed the website and still have questions. Who should I contact?
    After carefully reviewing the website (including this FAQs, which will be updated periodically), if you still have questions, please do not hesitate to contact ACF at ngecan@alaskaconservation.org (email preferred) or at 907-276-1917.