Frequently Asked Questions
What is the application deadline?
How are interns selected?
When do phone interviews take place?
How can I best prepare for an interview?
What is the start date for an internship?
Are internships extended beyond five months?
What kinds of projects will I assist with as an intern?
Where will my internship be located?
Can I choose the location?
What are the housing options for interns?
What is the intended use of the stipend?
What do interns gain from the CLM Training Workshop?
How can an undergraduate student prepare to be competitive for a CLM Internship after graduation?
Can I apply if I am not a US citizen?
How is the program’s success measured?
What is the application deadline?
We accept applications on a rolling basis until all positions are filled (typically April 1st). Only complete applications will be reviewed. You will receive an email notifying you that we have received all of your application materials.
How are interns selected?
Applications are matched to job descriptions provided by our partnering agencies. Selection is based upon education, skills, interest in conservation practices, experience, and enthusiasm. A short list of applicants for each position is chosen and applicants are interviewed via two separate telephone interviews. The first interview is conducted by CLM staff at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The application details of the chosen applicant are then sent to the mentor for final approval. The second interview is conducted by the mentor with whom you might work. Upon approval from the mentor, an internship offer is extended.
When do phone interviews take place?
Applicants who are available to start in January and February will be contacted in December and January to schedule a phone interview. Applicants available to start between March and June will be contacted in beginning in February to schedule a phone interview.
How can I best prepare for an interview?
You will be given a brief description for the internship prior to your phone interview with the mentor. It may also be helpful to gain an understanding of the type of work that the agencies are conducting in your field. For example, browse the BLM, NPS, and USFS web sites.
What is the start date for an internship?
Most internships begin mid-May or early June. However, we have a small number of internships that start earlier, anywhere from January to April. Be sure to state the month you are available to start on your on-line application form!
Are internships extended beyond five months?
Yes, some internships are extended for up to five additional months, dependent upon the performance of the intern during the first five months and funding availability.
What kinds of projects will I assist with as an intern?
Projects vary and may include the following:
• Conducting inventories of and monitoring Special Status species – plants and/or wildlife
• Collecting important data on reintroduction and management experiments conducted on Special Status species
• Geographical Information Systems (GIS) mapping
• Conducting literature searches for Endangered Species Act consultations
• Developing Special Status handbooks
• Reintroducing Special Status species
• Writing environmental assessments and components of land-use plans, updating endangered species lists, and creating web sites
Where will my internship be located?
Internship locations change each year. Most are based with the Bureau of Land Management and are located throughout the western United States. Limited positions are available in the midwestern and eastern United States.
Can I choose the location?
Applicants who are flexible with location preferences are most likely to be placed. Applicants are encouraged to indicate any preferences in their online application form. We will do our best to accommodate those requests. Applicants should also indicate if their preferences are flexible by selecting the ‘none’ option from the menu.
What are the housing options for interns?
Your mentor can provide you with information on specific housing options that may be available to you. Most interns rent an apartment or a room in a home. A few field offices have seasonal housing options (cabin or trailer) that is typically offered at a lower cost.
What is the intended use of the stipend?
Your stipend is intended to cover living expenses, including rent, groceries, laundry, gas, etc.
What do interns gain from the CLM Training Workshop?
• Networking, bonding, knowledge, and a support group
• New skills and preparation for the internship
• Readiness to step into the role of a practical conservation field worker
• Valuable experience working for a government agency
• Familiarity with planning, organizing, and completing work projects
• Familiarity with the roles of the government agencies
• Ability to prepare biological assessments and reports
How can an undergraduate student prepare to be competitive for a CLM Internship after graduation?
Please go to our "Information for Undergraduates" page to read how you can best prepare to be competitive for a CLM Internship.
Can I apply if I am not a US citizen?
Yes – but you must have a visa to work in the United States. The Chicago Botanic Garden does not cover the costs associated with acquiring a visa, if they exist. Canadian and Mexican applicants qualify for a Trade/NAFTA work visa.
How is the program’s success measured?
Interns and mentors complete questionnaires to provide valuable feedback. In addition, interns create an essay about their internship experiences (video, audio, slide show or written essay). This feedback is used to fine-tune and improve the program each year.
Other success measures include:
• Approximately 60 percent of those completing the internship find employment in government agencies after completing the program.
• The program continues to grow. Each year, 30 percent more positions are funded.
