by Julie Dodd
High school students who are interested in learning more about the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and developing their skills in working in science have a great opportunity for a life-changing summer internship.
Students selected for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Summer Internship Program serve on a crew with other high school students – either in North Carolina or Tennessee — for six weeks, working with rangers and learning about programs from the Dragonfly Mercury Project to surveying the native Brook Trout population.
To apply, contact Ranger Susan Sachs to request an application form — phone 828-926-6251 or email susan_sachs@nps.gov. The application can then be emailed, faxed or mailed to ACE (American Conservation Experience).
The application deadline date is Saturday, April 9.
This year’s program has two different start dates. The crew in Tennessee starts on June 6, and the North Carolina crew starts on June 13. All participants need to live within driving distance of the park, as housing is not provided.
For the six-week program, interns work four days per week and get paid $125 per week through ACE.
One of the North Carolina interns last summer was Kyra Mehaffey, a senior at Pisgah High School in Canton, North Carolina, who blogged for FOTS about her internship experience last summer. I asked her to talk about how being an intern has had an impact on her.
Q: How has the high school summer internship program affected you as a student this year?
Kyra: This year it is much easier to be confident in my answers at school in every subject. I am currently in Honors Biology 2, and, although it is a challenging course, I love it! I also find it easier to pursue new things, even if I’m not sure I’ll like it or not. I tutor third grade Common Core math at a local elementary school, and I’ll be taking their class some tadpoles from my Grandpa’s pond. So I’m also helping them enjoy science and the environment! I am also involved in more school activities. I find it easier to talk to my superiors and strangers.
Q: What influence has the summer internship program had on you as you make plans for college?
Kyra: This internship led me to pursue a major in Environmental Studies at UNC Asheville, whereas before I was very unsure of what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I discovered that I had a passion for all things nature and that things I learned growing up — along with the huge amount of new things I learned through my experience — could actually be a job. I’m excited for the future because I’ll be doing something I love!
Q: What advice would you have for students who might be considering whether they should apply for the high school internship program?
Kyra: Apply, Apply, Apply!! If you have ANY interest at all in nature, being outside, the Park Service, conservation, or simply learning new things, this can be the greatest experience of your life. If you’re unsure of what you want to do, this can help you decide! You are exposed to so many possible careers within the National Park Service that you’re bound to discover something for you. And if you don’t, you still have the experience from it! You’ll make a new group of friends, and will meet so many people who can help you down the road. I would recommend this program to anyone considering it. This internship is very selective, so if you’re chosen it looks great on applications. If not, there are many other possibilities, such as volunteering. With this being the Centennial Year of the National Park Service, I’m sure the internship will be even more interesting (if that’s possible!).
Q: If there anything else you’d like to add about your experience in the program?
Kyra: My family and I are very “outdoorsy” and I’ve been going to parks since before I was able to walk. That being said, I definitely have a newly found respect for rangers and volunteers when I visit. Being more knowledgeable and knowing about things “behind the scenes” allows me to tell people things they may not know which I enjoy very much.
I am extremely excited to be working as a student mentor for the MYLES summer camp this summer. I am also a Centennial Ambassador, and I’ll work various events throughout the year helping people “Find their Park”. I really enjoy it, my favorite thing we did last summer was work the front desk so you can imagine how much I enjoy working booths.
The program is funded by both the Youth Partnership Program and Friends of the Smokies. FOTS has supported the program for 15 years, initially providing the salaries for the interns and now funding the program staff salaries. Last summer 24 high school students participated in the program. To help support this internship program, click here and select Environmental Education.