Iowa DNR: Pollution Prevention Intern Program

Pollution Prevention Intern Program

Interns with the Iowa Pollution Prevention Program experience a unique partnership of academia, industry and government all working together toward environmental and economic goals.

Emily Rice.
Emily Rice, a Chemical Engineering student at the University of Iowa, worked with Alcoa Inc. to help reduce their environmental footprint. The Program, sponsored by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, was able to secure funding for a record, 37 graduate and upper-level undergraduate students to participate in the 2006 Summer Intern Program, up from 25 in 2005. Two additional international students participated in a pilot program to achieve results for Iowa while sharing technologies and procedures to effect global results.
After one week of training in pollution prevention methodologies, interns become project managers in Iowa industries and other facilities to identify and implement environmental opportunities.

Interns gain first-hand experience in their career discipline, as they integrate pollution prevention methodologies into core business practices such as six sigma and lean manufacturing, zero waste, EMS and quality management programs to create tangible economic benefits for their host company.

In 2006, the Pollution Prevention Intern Program was also able to make impacts well beyond our conventional borders. The University of Iowa's Engineers for a Sustainable World organization, in partnership with the DNR, adapted the existing Pollution Prevention Intern Program model to create an International Intern Exchange Program.

In the pilot project, two international interns, one from University of Xicotepec, Puebla, Mexico and one from Universidad Tecnica Federico Santa Maria, Valparaiso, Chile were placed with the University of Iowa facilities management team to assist with energy efficiency projects on campus. Lessons learned through this international effort will be used to lead to more effective efforts both in Iowa and abroad.

Applicants to the 2008 Pollution Prevention Intern Program will have an exciting new option to select three- or six-month internships. Extended internships will appeal to students willing to complete more complex projects or wanting to establish additional experience in their field prior to beginning a career search.

Students wishing to apply for a 2008 internship should submit an application, cover letter, resume and unofficial copy of their transcripts to the DNR prior to February 8, 2008.