Applications for Spring 2027 sustainability internships are now being accepted!
Are you a student interested in making a difference and gaining professional 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 or around January 9, 2027. See individual descriptions for the duration of each position. Some positions are eligible for renewal in subsequent semesters based on availability and performance.
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 Thursday, November 19, 2026. Please direct any questions to .
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.
Available Positions
Click on the position titles below to read their full descriptions.
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 a required orientation program January 9-10 (tentative dates subject to change).
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, typically in lieu of 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.
The Office of Sustainability encourages qualified candidates across all group demographics to apply.
Campus Garden Intern
This position will run for the entirety of the Spring 2027 semester with the opportunity to continue in subsequent semesters based on interest, availability, and performance.
The Wake Forest Campus Garden is a learning space that engages participants in sustainable agricultural practices. The Campus Garden Intern will help maintain and manage the garden while also educating others on regenerative agriculture. Previous experience working in the Campus Garden and/or in sustainable/regenerative agriculture is not required, but an interest and willingness to learn is!
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Maintaining and managing the garden
- Performing a variety of tasks, including seeding, bed prep, weeding, and harvesting
- Developing proficiency in sustainable agriculture concepts and techniques through hands-on experience
- Working both individually and as a team with other Campus Garden interns
- Daily chicken chores (making sure chickens are fed and have water, along with letting them in or out of their coop), to be divided amongst the garden intern team
- 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
Requirements:
- An ability and willingness to perform physical labor outdoors in various weather conditions
- A growth mindset and desire to learn
- Excellent time management skills and reliability
- The ability to work well on a team
Peer Engagement Intern
This position will run for the entirety of the Spring 2027 semester and may be renewed in subsequent semesters based on interest, availability, and performance.
The Peer Engagement Intern will plan and host a variety of opportunities for students to engage with sustainability on campus. These opportunities will be designed to educate students on sustainability topics, build community through sustainability across campus, foster an appreciation for nature, and/or otherwise further a culture of sustainability on campus.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Developing and hosting at least three “pop-in” opportunities and at least one larger-scale event that focus on both impact and reach
- Analyzing event efficacy and developing best practice guides for future iterations
- Exploring partnerships with student organizations and student-facing offices
- Assisting with signature events, such as Earth Talks and the Spring Equinox Celebration, as needed
- Conducting educational outreach through occasional tabling
Requirements:
- Excellent organization and time management skills
- A proactive, self-starter mindset
- A proven ability to collaborate with and/or engage a wide variety of students
- Previous experience planning events at Wake Forest
Sustainability Outreach Intern
This position will run for the entirety of the Spring 2027 semester and may be renewed in subsequent semesters based on interest, availability, and performance.
The Sustainability Outreach Intern will serve as a face of sustainability education on campus, interacting with students in various locations and engaging them in interactive learning opportunities. This position is vital to fulfilling the Office of Sustainability’s mission of empowering others to lead the sustainability transformation on campus and in the world.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Using the Office of Sustainability’s pre-existing tabling materials to engage and educate passersby in key locations on campus
- Maintaining a semester-long schedule of tabling events
- Recording data on tabling efficacy for assessment of approach and selection of topic, time, and location
- Training volunteers how to table effectively alongside you
Responsibilities may include:
- Developing additional outreach materials based on emerging needs
- Speaking in front of student groups and organizations
Requirements:
- Exceptional face-to-face communication skills
- The ability to project confidence, enthusiasm, and friendliness
- Strong organization and time management skills
- A flexible schedule that allows for tabling during key time blocks
- Familiarity with sustainability topics and climate change solutions
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 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.