Geography and Environmental Studies Department

Jobs & Internships

Current Summer & Grad School Opportunities

Graduate Schools:

Why, how, where to apply: explore your options at Chico State's Graduate Studies(opens in new window) or at one of their Expos or graduate writing workshops on campus!

San Diego State University (SDSU)(opens in new window) Geography Master's and PhD Applications open usually in  December. Funding is available through graduate assistantships, teaching assistantships, and scholarships and grants. All Ph.D. students are funded for 4 years, including salary and tuition at SDSU.  Research assistantships are also available for grant-funded projects. Students in SDSU graduate programs perform original research and write theses and dissertations in a variety of subjects including:  
  • Geo information science: cartography, visualization, big data analytics, remote sensing, spatial analysis and modeling, geo-computation, spatial decision support systems, participatory GIS; 
  • Human geography:  cities and urban environments, food, media, migration and borders, political ecology and livelihoods, children and youth geographiesEnvironmental geography: climate resilience, agent-based modeling, coastal planning and policy, agroforestry and agriculture; and
  • Watershed science: hydrologic and climate modeling, fire, water resources, climate change, vegetation mapping.

UC Davis' Transportation Technology and Policy (TTP) MS and Ph.D. program(opens in new window) has the following tentative deadlines:  January 15, 2025 (Priority), April 1, 2025 (General), and June 1, 2025 (Space Available). For more information, contact JoAnna Lewis, jrlewis@ucdavis.edu, or call 530-752-0247.

University of Denver's Department of Geography and the Environment(opens in new window) has a strong PhD program, plus doctoral research assistant positions in "Indigenous forest management in a non-stationary climate.”  Contact Matthew Taylor(opens in new window) for additional information.

UC Santa Barbara's Global Studies(opens in new window) graduate program is competitive but well funded and features geography courses prominently.

Clark University Graduate School of Geography, PhD program(opens in new window) (Worchester, MA)

Central Washington University (Ellensburg, WA) has a two-year Cultural and Environmental Resource Management(opens in new window) interdisciplinary MS graduate program that integrates faculty and course work from Geography, Anthropology, and Economics to research policy change issues. Deadline to apply for Fall 2026 is usually in January. Check website for details. 

Masters Degrees in Environmental Policy(opens in new window)

Chico State'sMaster of Science in Business Analytics(opens in new window)(MSBA).  Did you know the 33-unit MSBA is great for lots of majors, including GEOG majors? Analytics are actually really useful for your  background in Geography – it's not just for math majors.  Position yourself for success in today's job market with Chico State's MSBA, offering hands-on learning and real-world tools and training.

  • Discover how data-driven decision-making can create tangible results and meaningful impact for organizations and communities alike.
  • Hone your ability to model, process, and program data through hands-on learning experiences.
  • Graduate with the expertise to tackle complex challenges and drive innovation with the skills employers need most.

 Applications open through June for a Fall 2025 start.  Connect with us today for more information: Sarauv Dutta, Program Coordinator, sdutta@csuchico.edu.

Career Pathfinders for Geography and Environmental Studies

Employers Seeking....YOU!

Current Job Opportunities and Places to Watch:

Internships & Fellowships & Scholarships


  • Featured Internship:  Chico State's own Northeast Information Center!
  • The Northeast Information Center (NEIC) is excited to announce the availability of six internship positions (4 off-campus and 2 on-campus) for Fall 2025 (August-December). The NEIC, a key regional repository for archaeological site data, plays an essential role in preserving and managing information related to cultural resources across the state's northeastern region. Our team works closely with both state and federal agencies, as well as academic researchers, to ensure that archaeological data is properly cataloged and made accessible for public and professional use.

    We encourage both undergraduate, including GEOG majors, and graduate students to apply for this unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the field of archaeology and cultural resource management. This is a non-paid internship, requiring students to complete a total of 135 hours within a 17-week period (~9 hours/week). These hours can be transferred for 3-credit internship hours for Fall 2025

    Interns will assist with processing incoming archaeological site forms and reports, helping to update and track sites and surveys within our current GIS platform. This internship offers valuable exposure to data management, GIS systems, and the intricacies of cultural resource preservation.

    If you're looking to gain professional experience and contribute to important archaeological efforts, we highly encourage you to apply! Here is the Application link(opens in new window); applications aredue August 15, 2025. 

  • Calling all CSU Students:

    Are you passionate about climate resilience and eager to make a difference? The UC-CSU Undergraduate Research Internship Program will give you skills and knowledge to conduct impactful research on climate education within the California State University (CSU) and University of California (UC) systems.

    Program Overview:

    Join them for a virtual internship during the academic year. You’ll get hands-on training and real-life experiences to shape the future of climate change education in California. They're looking for current UC-CSU undergraduate students who can commit up to 4 hours per week, with weekly check-ins for support. No prior research or internship experience needed! 

    Reasons to apply:

    • Exclusive Opportunity: Connect with peers from 9 UC and 22 other CSU campuses
    • Skill Development: Gain research skills and experiences that are valuable in any field
    • Networking: Meet and learn from professionals and experts who are making a difference
    • Learning and Development: Enhance your resume and open doors to future opportunities

     Who they're looking for:

    • Seeking enthusiastic and committed undergraduate students who are:
      • Enrolled at a UC or CSU campus, e.g., our campus!
      • Able to dedicate up to 4 hours per week to the internship
      • Passionate about making a positive impact in climate change education
    • Graduate students are also needed to mentor undergraduate researchers. Mentors earn $750 per semester for their support and guidance.

     The program strongly encourages applicants who:

    • Identify as First Generation, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), or from historically marginalized communities

     How to Apply.  Please fill out the application forms using the following links:

    Application Deadline: Summer 2025 (estimated, check their website for date).  Don’t miss out on an opportunity to make an impact and gain valuable experience within the CSU.

  • CSU, Chico Career (& Internship) Center(opens in new window) can also help with internships/fellowships!  Meet with an Advisor(opens in new window) or browse Handshake(opens in new window).

  • California Coalition for Rural Housing (CCRH)(opens in new window) runs an affordable rural housing program (PDF) that occasionally offers paid internships (PDF) for hybrid project and training experiences plus work summits.  The CCRH seeks an individual committed to community development, affordable housing, or solutions impacting low-income and diverse communities. Priority applications (PDF) are typically accepted in the spring.    
  • California Housing Partnership Corporation(opens in new window) offers summer positions as Equity Policy Research Fellows. The spring deadline has passed but consider this for next summer! 
  • California Planning Foundation (CPF)(opens in new window) has a scholarship program(opens in new window) with applications due June 15, 2025. For program details, see the CPF's scholarship application form(opens in new window).  Check out their May 15, 2025 online webinar for advice and tips on your application.
  • City of Santa Rosa Planning Department(opens in new window) (periodic openings) or Google any "[City, State] + Planning Department internship"
  • First Carbon Solutions Internship(opens in new window)
  • Geographical Information Center (GIC)(opens in new window) offers internships periodically during the academic year. Ideal candidate(s) should have ERSI software experience and have completed the following: GEOG 211, Introduction to Geographical Information Systems; GEOG 219, Introduction to Geographic Methods; and GEOG 313, Introduction to Cartography.  Interns work on a variety of GIS projects including CalTrans, USGS Elevation Derived Hydrography, CPUC, city and county GIS, etc.  
  • The GIC often offers internships for upper division undergraduates or recent grads.  Assist with literature reviews under a variety of projects, primarily habitat restoration and forest health. Additional opportunities for field visits, community meetings and data analyses or mapping efforts as time and capabilities allow.
  • Glenn County Irrigation District(opens in new window) hired an engineering intern (PDF) last spring for ArcGIS, AUTOCAD, SonTek RiverSurveyor Live software assistance and field work surveying experiences.
  • International and Foreign Language Education program:  study geography while living abroad! Applications are usually due in the spring.  
  • National Geographic Society(opens in new window) in Washington, D.C. offers internships. Check their website.
  • National Park Service(opens in new window) offers Intergovernmental Internship Cooperatives(opens in new window), many of which are GIS-related. Check in the fall for 2026 opportunities.
  • Phillip Lee Phillips Society Fellowships(opens in new window) for summer. Conduct research at the U.S. Library of Congress, the largest and most comprehensive cartographic collection in the world! Past fellowships includes an 8-week residency with an $11,500 stipend. Applications typically accepted April through September.
  • San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency has summer internships for on-the-job experience in transportation planning and engineering(opens in new window).  Plan, design and implement bicycle, pedestrian, safety or "complete streets" programs.   Internship includes field trips and seminars, and team building.  Check wepsite for application deadline(s).
  • Tehama County(opens in new window) is considering an internship program in planning and transportation. Inquire directly at the county's Planning office.
  • U.S. Forest Service (USFS) offers summer internships in natural resource management, physical science, administrative and office support, general USFS service.  Check in the spring.
  • Volunteering Abroad with GoEco(opens in new window)

Join GRID Alternatives and Women of Renewable Industries (WRISE) at the nation’s largest trade show(opens in new window) (held annually in the fall) to meet companies seeking workers in the growing clean energy industry.

Study Abroad Opportunities