The Missouri Department of Natural Resource's internship program is designed to provide college students or recent graduates with real-life experience working alongside the department’s engineers, scientists, natural resource managers and other professionals. See what some of our past interns have shared about their experience.
Ashtin Standifer, Westminster College
I was prepared to just do paperwork or organizing but I was able to get out in the field and do work independently. The people in the tanks section are incredibly friendly and helpful. They were all more than willing to answer all question I happened to have. I learned so much from everyone in my section including underground storage tank information, life information, and overall department information. I have gained an amazing experience from this internship, and I am extremely grateful to have been blessed with this opportunity. The intern trips the department offered only aid in making my experience great and expanding my knowledge. Every intern activity I attended I learned something new within that specific specialization.
Brooke Anich, University of Missouri - Columbia
I enjoyed this internship because every day was a new adventure for me. Whether I was working in the office or out in the field, every day felt exciting. I enjoyed talking to the public about monthly bacterial samples and investigating positive samples to try and solve real issues. This internship felt rewarding. I also enjoyed riding along for inspections and helping write the reports. I am so grateful that I had an amazing mentor, who helped me with all my questions, and wanted me to experience everything that I could while working with DNR this summer.
Devin Wilkerson, Linn State Tech
I have spent most of my time well… everywhere! I have been assisting Accounting, Human Resources, Audit, Budget and General Services. I’ve had opportunities to talk and coordinate with people from various other state departments as well and been able to assist with, and even lead, various projects. In addition, I have been able to go out and assist with field audits of the state parks and districts. This internship has opened my eyes to see how much goes on behind the scenes and how much is out there in this work force and options for career paths. It has been such an exciting experience!
Jack Parks, Southeast Missouri State University
During the first half of my internship, I spent most of my time working with wastewater. I got to tag along on wastewater inspections and work on sampling and inspecting the Spring River around Thayer, MO in Oregon County. I spent the second half of my internship mostly working with public drinking water. I got to go around and inform facilities of any public notice violations and help them with compliance assistance, as well as talk about their sample site plans and the EPA’s Lead Service Line Inventory. I also got to assist people who needed to get their water permits renewed. Working for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources this summer has certainly been quite a privilege and has given me more room for professional development. I am looking forward to the career opportunities this position has given me.
Jacob Creed, Missouri University of Science and Technology
The Dam and Reservoir Safety Program has an amazing team and leadership. I had the opportunity to learn about and get involved with any kind of their work that I had interest in. Through this, I gained a lot of valuable transferable experience. I learned a variety of programs including GIS and DSS-WISE, a dam breach simulator. I inspected dams, wrote reports, participated in meetings, conducted file deep-dives. Because of how involved I was able to become, it has given me a lot of confidence to carry forward into my future career.
Wyatt Yarbrough, Three Rivers College
This internship has opened my eyes to many different facilities and how they operate. I have visited many different locations regarding the air and land section, including tagging along with two of our air inspectors to conduct an opacity inspection at a crematory and visiting different landfills and transfer stations with solid waste inspectors. I have also enjoyed visiting cotton gins and seeing the equipment that had been taken apart for repairs and cleaning operations. I have been providing awareness on open burning, asbestos and waste management regulations to municipalities, as well as providing awareness regarding the proper disposal and regulations pertaining to scrap tires at scrap tire facilities throughout the Southeast region.