Some students prefer to spend hours in the classroom every day. Other students prefer getting dirty.
With more and more interest in renewable energy and other potential ‘green investments,’ jobs in fields related to sustainability will most likely be on the rise. Developing an understanding for ecosystems and creating innovative ways to preserve them is quickly becoming an important global industry. One way for students to get experience in this field is through the Tiger Blue Goes Green program.
According to Art Johnson, the Garden Coordinator for the TIGUrS Urban Garden and the Shop Coordinator for the Tiger Bikes Program, sustainability is something everyone should learn about.
“We get people who are such urbanites that they are not aware of the sustainability as a practice and day-to-day lifestyle,” Johnson said. “We help lend the ideals of sustainability to their lifestyles.”
The University of Memphis offers ‘green internships’ for students that qualify. There are 20 of these green internships each semester. These internships are for students with a disability, first-generation immigrants or low-income students. Other requirements to be considered for the internships are a minimum grade point average of 2.75, at least one more fall or spring semester before graduation and sophomore standing or higher.
They are funded by the Sustainable Campus Fee or “green fee”. The green fee was imposed in 2007. Full-time students pay $10 a semester to fund the program, and in turn the fee supports projects such as the campus garden, a bike share service, the green internships and more.
Green internships are part of U of M’s larger sustainability project. Students who choose these internships do work ranging from advertising and advocacy to research and education.
These internships are paid, either $10 an hour or $1700 for the whole semester. Not only do these internships help with resume building, but they also provide valuable experience for those wanting to get into the field.
The effects of these internships can be seen all over Memphis. The Memphis Botanic Garden, Salvation Army, Shelby County Department of Health and many more local partners have utilized U of M students.
Retention Counselor Sheron Davenport helps students apply for green internships. She believes that the internships help more than just the student.
“It has a great impact on the community as well as the student,” she said. “It is a great opportunity for professional and personal growth and development. “The community benefits because all of these internships have to provide some form of sustainability. This also helps the University through increasing our community partners so we can have the support of Memphis at large.”
Johnson believes that the community benefits every time someone changes their habits and learns more about sustainable living.
“Urban gardening helps to increase property values, helps to increase beautification, it brings communities together and it provides good, healthy, organic food,” Johnson said. “So we can share all that with the campus community and they can take it home to their own communities.”
For some students these internships can become a launching pad into their future careers.
“There have been several students who have received employment based off their performance within the internship,” Davenport said.
To apply for a green internship contact Davenport, the internship office or career services. Davenport’s office is located in Mitchell Hall, room 405. Oct. 1 is the last day to apply.
