Who is this class for?

• Advanced undergraduate and graduate students.
• The course is cross-listed in English, Urban Studies, Urban Planning and Policy, and Public Administration.  Its methods draw from the Humanities, Planning and Policy, but we welcome students from a range of disciplines who want to actively engage with water and environmental issues.

Do I need to have a background in science or environmental science?

• Not at all.  The Freshwater Lab’s approach is humanities-based and looks at water governance and the multiple ways in which people, social structures, and water interrelate.  At the same time, we welcome scientific approaches and students majoring in Science and Engineering.  Climate Change requires interdisciplinary, collaborative approaches.

How do I get into the class?

• Register for the class under any one of the cross-listings: English, Urban Studies, Urban Planning and Policy, or Public Administration.  If one is filled, then you can register for another and still receive the credit that you need.  So, if you are an Urban Planning student, then you can register for a space in English and still fulfill your requirements for Planning.
• Cross-listing means that there are a few spots set aside through each department, but this will usually be a class size of up to 30 people.

How long does the class last?

• The course runs 2 hours and 50 minutes per week through the entire spring semester, even after some students begin their internships.

How does the internship work? 

• Check out the Internship Process Infographic for an overview.
• Internship hours, start date, and end date will vary based on the needs of each student and the organization where they work.  Internships may begin as soon as March (after spring break) or as late as the end of the semester or beginning of the summer, and they may end at the end of the semester or go into the summer.  The number of hours worked, per week and overall, will also vary.  We have found that for students and internship hosts, flexibility is key.
• If you are a Master in Urban Planning and Policy (MUPP) student who needs to complete 300 hours in the internship so that it can count towards the degree’s internship credit, you will likely extend the internship into the summer in order to meet the 300 hour requirement.  The Freshwater Lab directly oversees your internship placement. The Lab works hard to ensure that you can meet the number of hours for the MUPP internship requirement, however, we cannot guarantee all internship hosts will offer 300 hours of work.
• If you are a humanities student and do not need an internship credit, there is flexibility regarding the number of hours you work.

Do I have to have an internship?

• Some students enrolled in the course may not want or be able to have an internship.  This is perfectly acceptable.  Instead of an internship, these students will work on a water-related project.  They will receive full credit.
• Students may even want to work on some aspects of the Freshwater Lab’s research or public-outreach.
• Internship or not, every enrolled student is a valued member of the Freshwater Lab community and is invited to all check-ins and field trips.

Will I get paid for the internship?

• The short answer is that it is highly possible!
• The Freshwater Lab Internship program is supported by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and the KBIH Family Foundation.  This allows us to provide stipends for students to conduct their internships.
• Toward the end of the semester, students submit applications for summer funding and are selected on the strength of their application.
• Students who are awarded funding receive a $2,400.00 summer stipend for eight weeks of work at twenty hours a week, or the equivalent of 160 hours.
• Every person who applied for funding in the 2021 Freshwater Lab Internship Cohort received funding!  We hope this is replicated in the years to come.
• In some cases, internship hosts directly pay students.  This tends to be $2400 for the 8 weeks X 20 hours a week, or the equivalent of 160 hours.  In cases where students work more hours, they are sometimes paid more.
• We cannot guarantee funding in every case, but the Freshwater Lab team works hard to help students receive payment along with a great internship experience.

Will I get support? 

• The Freshwater Lab shares campus support services to help you prepare your resume and cover letter.  We can also review your materials during student drop-in hours.  You should aim to have these ready by February. 
• Each student has a one-on-one meeting with Rachel Havrelock to share their interests, goals and aspirations.
• Professor Havrelock uses these one-on-one meetings to inform which organizations to reach out to and follow up with based on student interests. In some cases, there may be an organization that exactly fits a student’s interests. In other cases, she will provide several organizations that students can choose from which to apply to.
• After Professor Havrelock makes a connection between a student and a potential host, there is an interview.  If the match is a good one, then the student and the internship supervisor can discuss scheduling, hours, work expectations.  Professor Havrelock tends to stay out of these conversations, but can join in order to clarify any points or advocate for the student.  Havrelock and Freshwater Lab team members are here to support students, who should feel free to ask for help, advice, or advocacy, if needed.
• As Professor Havrelock meets with students, she also connects with different organizations and gets descriptions for internships.  These are posted regularly on the course blackboard site, so be sure to check the announcements page on a regular basis.
• Over the course of the internship, Professor Havrelock and Freshwater Lab graduate assistants remain available to address any problems that arise over the course of the internship or to celebrate any accomplishments. Advice and support remains available through the program.
• After the semester concludes, the Freshwater Lab hosts a few check-ins for students to discuss their internships and receive any advice or support.

What kinds of groups do you work with?

The Freshwater Lab’s list is always expanding and we will reach out to relevant organizations recommended by students. To date, students have had internships at the following organizations:

• Audubon Great Lakes
• Blacks in Green
• Center for Neighborhood Technology
• Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning
• Citizens Utility Board
• Council of Great Lakes Governors
• Delta Institute
• EarthJustice
• Elevate Energy
• Environmental Law and Policy Center
• Equiticity
• Field Museum Keller Science Action Center
  
• Food and Water Watch
• Freshwater Future
• Friends of the Chicago River
• Friends of the Parks
• Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence Cities Initiative
• Greenprint Partners
• Illinois Environmental Council
• Introducing Youth to American Infrastructure
• Just Transition Northwest Indiana
• Little Village Environmental Justice Organization
• Metropolitan Planning Council
• Nordson Green Earth Foundation
• Neighbors for Environmental Justice
• Openlands
• Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
• Prairie Rivers Network
• Shedd Aquarium
• Southeast Environmental Task Force
• Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation
• Urban Rivers

Summer Fun!

• Throughout late May and June, the Freshwater Lab organizes intern check-ins.
• We also host a number of field trips to get outdoors, visit beautiful locations, learn about water infrastructure, explore on the ground environmental justice work, volunteer, and enjoy the water.  These outings are open to current Freshwater Lab students (whether or not they have an internship) and alums.

When does the internship end?

• Though timing is flexible throughout the semester and summer, internships should be completed when the fall semester begins.  If the student and organization want to continue their work together, a new contract must be created and the Freshwater Lab strongly encourages the organization to provide salary at that point, whether they are hired as an employee or continue as an intern.
• The Freshwater Lab concludes its supervision of the internship program during the first week of July.

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