SFR Internships - School of Forest Resources

Internships through sfr

The School of Forest Resources is dedicated to ensuring that all undergraduate and graduate students are offered the chance to participate in the internship experience.

What makes internships valuable?

Internships are important for undergraduate students because they provide valuable hands-on experience that bridges the gap between academic learning and the professional world. Through internships, students gain practical skills, explore potential career paths, and build a network of industry contacts, all of which can significantly enhance their employability after graduation. Internships also allow students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings, helping them develop confidence, adaptability, and a clearer understanding of their strengths and interests. In today’s competitive job market, having internship experience often gives students a crucial edge when seeking full-time employment.

How is SFr different than other programs?

Drawing upon its deep network of faculty, alumni, and forestry professionals, the School of Forest Resources (SFR) connects students with a wide variety of internships and summer employment opportunities across the state and country. The program’s strong ties with industry leaders further enhance these connections, offering students applied, hands-on experience with esteemed forestry employers. These focused field experiences guide students towards the path that fits them best, whether that be within the private sector, non-profit organizations, or federal work. Found below is a timeline, itinerary, and more information about how to apply for internships and the companies that work directly with SFR.

Timeline and organizations

Listed below are the organizations that the School of Forest Resources often works with to coordinate internships for students. Along with this, a timeline of events and tentative itinerary can be found to help better understand the process.

Forest Resources Career Fair

The goal of the fair is to give students an idea of different internship paths that are
available in Maine’s diverse forest resources sector. The fair will take place over three separate Mondays, September 15th, 22nd, and 29th and we will aim to have 8-12 organizations on each day.

Participating organizations will be binned into different categories based on the type of work
they do and the category that best fits the organization’s mission. The categories that we have identified are as follows: large/medium-scale industrial operations, small-scale operations, research, conservation, consulting, mills, parks recreation and tourism and government.

Below is more information about how we will organize on each Monday.

Participating organizations will arrive between 4:00 and 4:45 pm on their
scheduled date to set up a table / booth in the atrium of Nutting Hall.
Students will also arrive between 4:00 and 4:45 pm, depending on their class
schedule, and will be encouraged to speak with professionals about their
organization.
At 5:00 pm the informational sessions will start, and each organization will
have 25-30 minutes to present on their organization and their internship
opportunities, if applicable. Informational sessions will be run in concurrent pairs
in two different rooms.
Students can move between rooms depending on which organizations and
opportunities they are interested in learning about.
Presentations will conclude at 7:00 and refreshments will be served in the
atrium. Students and professionals will use this time to network and chat.
Events will end by 7:30 but organizations and students are welcome to continue
conversations as needed.

Internship Interviews

Interviews begin on Monday, October 6, and run through Friday, November 14. Students will apply per the job posting instructions; resumes and cover letters can be submitted up to the deadline in the job posting. Organizations may screen applicants and choose not to interview some, though this is discouraged to preserve student development opportunities. The Internship Coordinator will remind students of their interview a week in advance, following up by phone if needed. Offers will be held until Monday, November 17, with students responding by Monday, November 24.

What to do before your interview

Add the date to your calendar, and confirm the time and where it’s happening
Make sure you have appropriate clothing for the interview
Print a copy of your resume to bring with you
Need help preparing for your interview? Head to the Career Center! They provide a range of services, from helping write resumes to mock interviews.