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Work in the W.K. Kellogg Experimental Forest
Interns play a valuable role in the development and implementation of initiatives vital to the mission of KBS. The KBS Internship Program provides part-time (20+ hrs/week) and full time (40 hrs/week) professional experiences for students in a wide range of disciplines across KBS. For summer 2024, we are offering an Avian Care Internship, Bird Sanctuary Visitor Experience Internship, Forestry Internship, and Kellogg Manor House Digital Storytelling Internship.
To complement the internship learning experience, interns are required to take an MSU course and participate in weekly professional development seminars during the summer. The Forestry intern may choose to work full time in lieu of coursework. You may take on online MSU course or a summer KBS course, if available.
***KBS offers generous scholarships to assist with, or in certain cases fully cover the cost of your summer tuition. Please contact us for more information.***
If you have questions about the program or application process, please email KBSsummer@msu.edu.
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Our 2023 KBS Interns. Nicole Cohoon (Forestry), Ada Varga (Bird Sanctuary Visitor Experience) and Ashley Leckrone (Bird Sanctuary Avian Care)
Important Program Details
Interns work with their mentor to come up with an individualized Learning Plan for the summer, attend weekly professional development seminars, and you may also complete a portfolio-worthy project.
At the end of the summer you will develop a professional poster and “elevator speech” about your KBS internship experience to be presented at the annual KBS Undergraduate Symposium, and write a professional blog post that will be shared on our KBS blog.
Dates:
This program is 11 weeks long and will run from May 12 – July 27, 2024 (students are expected to arrive on-site by 5 p.m. Sunday, May 12 and depart Saturday, July 27).
Hours:
Internships are typically part-time (20+ hours/week) to accommodate any courses you are taking. Hours typically increase closer to full time during the session you might not have a course commitment. Specific work hours will be arranged with your mentor. The Forestry Intern has the option to work 40 hours/week in lieu of coursework.
Course Requirement:
As part of your learning experience you are should enroll in a course with MSU- either a virtual MSU course or an in-person course at KBS, if available. Interns are responsible for paying for the MSU tuition associated with their course(s). Please contact the MSU Office of Financial Aid if you will need summer financial aid.
Compensation:
$3000 stipend (20 hours/week) or $6000 stipend (40 hours/week) + FULL room & board scholarship.
Housing is equipped with small full kitchens so students have the ability to prepare meals on their own.
***Note that interns are hired as an MSU Intern and pay checks will have taxes withheld.
Learning Plan & Professional Development:
All Interns will work through the I@S program and develop a Learning Plan with their mentor that outlines specific learning goals for the Internship. KBS offers a variety of Professional Development seminars throughout the summer designed to provide Interns with essential professional skills. ***Attendance of designated Professional Development seminars is required.
You may click HERE for detailed student info and the required forms for the Internships @ State (I@S) Program.
Summer Internship Program Details and Forms
KBS Internship Program – Expectations and Weekly Timeline
If you need an accommodation of any kind that is not supported in what we have provided, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Internship Positions
Summer 2024 Internship Positions
Avian Care Internship – Kellogg Bird Sanctuary
Mentors: Lisa Duke (Sanctuary Manager) and Brenden Kokx (Avian Caretaker)
RESPONSIBILITIES: 70% Wildlife Care – Intern will gain husbandry experience in waterfowl, upland gamebirds, and birds of prey. These duties may include but are not limited to:
- Animal Husbandry
- Feed and monitor flock health and welfare
- Raptor husbandry/training & glove handling animal ambassadors
- Exhibit maintenance & renovation, maintenance of nesting structures
- Enrichment evaluation
- Proper capture and handling techniques
- Veterinary procedures and health exams
- Bird surveys and citizen science projects (monitoring nest boxes)
- Working with and supervising volunteers
- 15% Education and Interpretation Responsibilities – example duties include:
- Leading educational tours and assisting in delivering public programs
- Production of educational and promotional materials
- Assisting with web page, blog, and social media posts
- Representing Sanctuary at schools, festivals, and events
- 15% Avian Care Project – A project focusing on the needs of the resident birds will be completed by the end of the summer. This project will be presented with a poster at the Summer Symposium (required attendance).
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience in animal care preferred (volunteer, vet assistant, lab work, intern, etc.)
- Strong work ethic and good communication skills
- Ability to lift 50 lbs and ability to distinguish colors and sounds
- Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions
- Computer skills desirable
- Ability to work both independently as well as part of a team
Must enroll in at least one MSU summer course.
Forestry Internship – W.K. Kellogg Experimental Forest
Mentors: K.J. Kettler (Forester & Manager) & Mickey Trimner (Forest Technician)
Kellogg Biological Station in collaboration with the Department of Forestry is pleased to offer a 2024 forestry internship opportunity at W.K. Kellogg Experimental Forest. The intern will obtain experience facilitating forestry related research and land management at Kellogg Forest and other MSU outlying properties including, but not limited to, Fred Russ Forest and MacCready Reserve.
Specific areas of focus typically include:
- Conduct and/or assist with inventory of standing timber, seedling regeneration, herbaceous flora, and invasive species
- Assist with timber sale set up and contract administration
- Research plot/plantation setup, maintenance, and data collection
- Assist with general maintenance of grounds/facilities and equipment as needed/directed
- Operate power tools (drills, chainsaws, etc.)
- Operate equipment (lawnmowers, skid steer, tractors)
- Interaction with public visitors in an outreach capacity
- Opportunity to lead assessment and development of unit management plan
- Opportunity to obtain hands on learning/knowledge related to prescribed fire
For more information about this opportunity please contact K.J. Kettler at Kettleri@msu.edu or 269-731-4597.
Intern may choose to work 20 hours/week and take an online MSU course, or work 40 hours/week.
Visitor Experience Internship – Kellogg Bird Sanctuary
Mentors: Lisa Duke (Sanctuary Manager) & Misty Klotz (Outreach Coordinator)
RESPONSIBILITIES: Intern will gain experience in providing excellent experiences for visitors. Some examples of responsibilities are:
- Run Wild Wednesday interpretive stations for visitors
- Help with on-grounds educational programs like guided tours and hikes
- Greet and assist visitors regarding their visit to the Bird Sanctuary.
- Assist callers and visitors with general Sanctuary, Biological Station and wildlife related questions.
- Perform cash register operations and complete daily deposits
- Social media posts and marketing
- Completion of agreed upon intern project focused on on-site self-guided experiences for visitors.
QUALIFICATIONS: Current Michigan State University student studying education, wildlife biology, ecology, biology, zoology, animal science, natural sciences or related field.
- Strong work ethic
- Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Computer skills desirable
- Ability to work both independently as well as part of a team.
- Valid driver’s license with good driving record
- Strong organizational skills
- Weekend hours required
Must enroll in at least one MSU summer course.
Kellogg Manor House Digital Storytelling Internship – Kellogg Manor House
Mentors: Nicole Kokx, Melissa Yost, Caroline Gardiner
DESCRIPTION: In 1944, W.K. Kellogg donated the Kellogg Manor House and estate to the U.S. Army, which used it as a convalescence annex for Percy Jones General Hospital in Battle Creek. From 1944-1949, thousands of patients came to stay at the estate to enjoy various forms of recreation as a part of their rehabilitation.
This internship will offer an opportunity to take years of historical information on W.K. Kellogg and the Manor House Estate’s role as the Percy Jones Hospital’s Annex for the planning and design of new media for the KBS Manor House Tour and the Manor House History page. The intern’s responsibilities will include working with a team of Manor House staff and volunteers, archiving historical data, researching the history of the estate, and producing a short video on the Manor House convalescence annex years.
This internship would be an excellent opportunity for an MSU Digital Storytelling major interested in documentary production.
QUALIFICATIONS: Current MSU undergraduate student who has:
- -Excellent oral, written, presentation and media communication skills
- -Ability to work independently
- -Excellent organizational skills
- -Advanced coursework and project experience in audio/video storytelling
- -An appreciation for historical estates
Desired background: Marketing, communications, production of documentary media
Must enroll in at least one MSU summer course.
How to Apply
Applications for Summer 2024 are now open! Apply here.
What will you need?
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- Ability to participate the entire program.
- A PDF copy of your most recent transcripts- unofficial is fine
- A PDF of your current resume
- A statement of interest that highlights how this experience will enhance your learning and career goals, as well as a personal statement to give us more information about you. Each statement is 300 words max.
- Contact information for at least one reference- no formal letter is required. We will notify you before contacting any references
- For non-MSU students: If you are a student who plans to transfer to MSU (not yet an MSU student), a personal identification number (PID) is required to complete this application. To obtain a PID, please visit: https://reg.msu.edu/ROInfo/EnrReg/LifelongEducation.aspx to become a Lifelong Learning Student, and a PID will be assigned to you
Applications will close on Feb 15th, 2024. All applicants will be notified of final decisions by March 15th, 2024.
Applicants must be enrolled as college students during Spring/Summer 2024. Preference for internship positions is given to MSU students, non-MSU students may be considered and can take their course requirement as a MSU LifeLong Learner. Speak with your advisor about transferring course credits to your home institution.
Please contact the KBS Academic Programs Coordinator (KBSsummer@msu.edu) if you have a specific question about internships for Summer 2024. They can provide you with the most up to date information.
A legacy of conservation; a commitment to sustainability.
3700 E. Gull Lake Drive
Hickory Corners, MI 49060
(269) 671-5117
info@kbs.msu.edu