Applications for Spring 2026 sustainability internships are now being accepted!
Are you a student interested in making a difference and gaining professional development experience? The following paid opportunities with the Office of Sustainability are available to all current Wake Forest University students. Unless otherwise indicated, all internships are slated to begin on January 12, 2026 (FDOC). See individual descriptions for the duration of each position. Some positions are eligible for renewal in subsequent semesters based on availability and performance.
Applications must be submitted no later than Tuesday, November 18, 2025.
Available Positions
Click on the position titles below to read their full descriptions.
Clothing Waste Reduction Internship
Peer Education & Engagement Internship
Sustainability Ambassadors Coordinator
Campus Garden Internship
This position will run for the entirety of the Spring 2026 semester.
The Wake Forest Campus Garden, located at 1141 Polo Road, is a learning space that engages participants in sustainable agricultural practices. Previous experience working in the Campus Garden and/or in sustainable/regenerative agriculture is not required, but an interest and willingness to learn is! Garden interns should be prepared to do physical labor outdoors in various weather conditions, focusing on a wide variety of tasks. Interns’ primary responsibility is to maintain and help manage the garden over the course of the semester, focusing on everything from seeding and bed prep to weeding and harvesting.
Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:
- Developing proficiency in sustainable agriculture concepts and techniques through hands-on experience
- Daily chicken chores (making sure chickens are fed and have water, along with letting them in or out of their coop)
- Working both individually and as a team with other Campus Garden interns
- Leading regularly scheduled volunteer sessions in the Campus Garden and occasional garden tours
- Organizing and supporting the Connect & Cultivate volunteer team so that they can lead weekday volunteer sessions
Clothing Waste Reduction Internship
This position will run for the entirety of the Spring 2026 semester, including through finals week.
This position provides the opportunity to address one of the most popular sustainability topics on campus. Through peer education and social norming, the Clothing Waste Reduction Intern will work towards creating a campus culture of textile waste reduction and reuse. Requirements include a proactive mindset, excellent organizational and face-to-face communication skills, and an understanding of the social norms on campus around clothing. The ideal candidate will also have experience planning events at Wake Forest and be familiar with best practices for influencing behavior. Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
- Conducting educational outreach through weekly tabling and occasional presentations to student groups
- Creating two unique events in collaboration with campus partners that creatively and positively address excess clothing on campus
- Collaborating with stakeholders across campus, including Facilities, Residence Life & Housing, Greek Life, and student organizations to communicate about relevant initiatives such as Deacs Donate
- Organizing, marketing, and running an annual clothing swap as a precursor to the Deacs Donate campaign
Peer Education & Engagement Internship
This position will run for the entirety of the Spring 2026 semester with the potential to continue in Fall 2026.
How do we reduce and divert waste at Wake Forest? Do our food choices actually have an impact on the environment? How do we conserve energy and water in the residence halls? These are just a few of the questions asked by Wake students as they consider how to align their actions with sustainability and a Pro Humanitate mindset. The Peer Education & Engagement Intern will be responsible for closing this knowledge gap and ensuring that Deacs understand what actions they can take to make a difference on campus and beyond. Requirements include a self-starter mindset, excellent organizational and face-to-face communication skills, event planning experience, and a friendly and enthusiastic personality. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:
- Conducting educational outreach through frequent tabling
- Exploring partnerships with student organizations and student-facing offices
- Creating engaging events that help further sustainability education and a campus-wide culture of sustainability
Sustainability Ambassadors Coordinator
This position will run for the entirety of the Spring 2026 semester with the potential to continue in Fall 2026.
The Sustainability Ambassadors Coordinator will serve as the student lead of the Sustainability Ambassadors program, a group of volunteers, peer educators, communicators, and peer leaders who help further Wake Forest’s culture of sustainability and Pro Humanitate ethos. The successful candidate for this position will be a confident leader with proven experience empowering and motivating groups of their peers. Strong communication and organizational skills are required. Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
- Helping to grow the Sustainability Ambassadors program through marketing and recruitment efforts
- Onboarding new Ambassadors through orientation sessions
- Scheduling, organizing, and facilitating Sustainability Ambassadors meetings
- Identifying and creating opportunities for Ambassadors to volunteer with sustainability initiatives on campus and empowering them to develop their own
- Helping to develop a leadership structure within the program that promotes empowerment and accountability
Propose Your Own Internship
If there is a topic that you are passionate about working on that is not listed above or on our current intern roster, please email cohenbj@wfu.edu to discuss your idea prior to submitting an application. Propose-your-own internships may be considered in exceptional circumstances when they address a sustainability need on campus in a unique, thoughtful, and practical manner. Further instructions on how to apply will be provided for ideas that are preliminarily accepted.
Important Information
Time Commitment: Interns should expect to work approximately 5-6 hours per week on average, though some weeks may be slightly heavier and others lighter. See position descriptions for any internships that may require a different time commitment. Interns will also participate in an abbreviated orientation program during the first week of the spring semester.
Eligibility: Unless otherwise indicated, all current Wake Forest students are eligible to apply, including those who qualify for federal work study. Positions may not be completed while studying away from campus.
Compensation: All positions pay $11/hour as a base rate. After every two semesters (consecutive or not) as an Office of Sustainability intern, students are eligible for a $1/hour increase. Eligibility is dependent upon performance.
Academic Credit: Internships may be pursued for academic credit in lieu of or in addition to monetary compensation. Arrangements must be made in advance between the student and the relevant academic department or program in accordance with their policies. As an administrative office, the Office of Sustainability is unable to grant permission for academic credit directly.
How to Apply: To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information for two professional references via this form. You may apply for multiple positions, but you must submit a separate application form for each. Applications must be submitted no later than Tuesday, November 18, 2025. Please direct any questions to cohenbj@wfu.edu.
The Office of Sustainability encourages qualified candidates across all group demographics to apply. In your cover letter, please include the following:
- the position for which you are applying;
- relevant work and/or volunteer experience;
- relevant coursework;
- a brief description of why you want to pursue the position;
- skills you would bring to the internship; and
- what you hope to gain from the experience.
