RALEIGH, N.C., July 6, 2022 – As the school year ends, college students head home and take a well-earned break from note taking and exams. Some do opt to try their hand at internships in a variety of fields that are relevant to their studies, all in the hopes of attracting employment after graduation. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) of North Carolina is welcoming 11 interns this summer, some new and some returning. The agency offers internships for high school students, degree-seeking undergraduates and graduate students studying science and agriculture, management, business, technology, and many other fields. Each of these students will get their hands “dirty” so-to-speak in a variety of positions.

These positions challenge each person in developing science-based solutions to maximize conservation efforts in the state. NRCS offers a variety career opportunities for interns and applicants. Conservation Careers include Soil Conservationists and Soil Conservation Technicians, Engineers, Soil Scientists, Rangeland Management Specialists, Biologists, and many more. NRCS also hires in the fields of finance, human resources, public and legislative affairs, and other professional fields aimed at supporting the agency to meet its mission. The interns can get immersed in many of these conservation careers through several programs, closely aligning to their areas of study.

One of these programs is the 1890 National Scholars program. Established in 1992, this program offers several benefits to its eligible recipients to include full tuition, room and board, and the opportunity to work for NRCS without further competition.  All recipients of the program must commit to one year of service for every year that they received financial assistance. The exact details would depend on the agreement with the applicant and the participating university. The program is a way for historically underserved students to get a quality education and gain employment after graduation.

“I have had the opportunity to learn and get exposed to what USDA – NRCS does for our clients, as well as apply the knowledge and skills that I have acquired throughout my undergraduate experience,” said Veronda Blue, current 1890s’ program recipient.

To participate the student must have been accepted for admission as a freshman or currently attending as a sophomore in one of the nineteen 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Universities. North Carolina A&T State University is currently the only university in the state that is under this program. Students who are interested in the 1890s program can apply early next year.  

Interns can also choose to participate in Pathways, a series of programs that offers “paths” to opportunities with NRCS​ for students from high school through post-graduate school. The Pathways Programs consist of the Internship Program, the Recent Graduates Program, and the Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program. NRCS-NC has seven interns that are participating in one of these programs.

“I chose this program because the work I would be doing was heavily related to my college career path, and because of the potential benefits the agency can offer afterwards,” said Maxwell Dumas, current Pathways Intern.

These interns provide a vital resource in terms of their experience and knowledge as they come on board. “We look forward to working with these interns each year and are excited about the possibility of bringing them on full time for future employment,” Tim Beard, State Conservationist for NRCS in North Carolina.

Bridging scholars and interns’ employment with the agency’s focus is another addition to conservation efforts. These conservation efforts are achieved through a voluntary partnership with producers. In these voluntary programs, NRCS approves contracts to implement conservation practices that addresses natural resource concerns or opportunities to help save energy, improve soil, water, plant, air, animal, and related resources on agricultural lands and non-industrial private forest land.

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