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.
Current Job Opportunities and Places to Watch:
- Alta Planning + Design(opens in new window) employees people all over the United States in planning, transportation, landscape architecture, and engineering design. They had a fall 2023 posting for a Multimodal Planner(opens in new window) in their Oakland office.
- American Planning Association(opens in new window)
- Butte County Association of Governments(opens in new window) is an ideal place for environmental planners and transportation career enthusiats.
- Butte County Department of Development Services(opens in new window), Planning Division periodically has openings for assistant planners.
- Butte County Fire Safe Council(opens in new window) had an opening this summer for a full-time Assistant GIS Analyst(opens in new window). Extensive travel required with a salary range of $22-26 per hour, depending on experience. Contact them to see if a position is open.
- Butte Environmental Council (BEC)(opens in new window) is a non-profit, member-driven community issues advocacy organization. They sometimes offer paid positions but volunteers are also welcome.
- California Department of Conservation(opens in new window) has program analyst and planner positions.
- California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)(opens in new window) hires statewide.
- California Planning Foundation (CPF)(opens in new window) is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization established by the California Chapter of the American Planning Association. See below for their scholarships!!!
- California Strategic Growth Council supports healthy, thriving, and resilient communities for all.
- CivicSpark(opens in new window) seeks emerging professionals want to gain real-world experiences, launch a social purpose career, and make a lasting impact in communities. Civic Spark's Fellows program(opens in new window) usually opens in the spring. Check out their Frequently Asked Questions(opens in new window).
- CollegeCorps(opens in new window) is an excellent way to work for a worthy cause and get paid for it! Their climate action and other teams will soon be expanding.
- Environment California(opens in new window) is a non-profit organization that works to provide clean air, clean water and open spaces for everyone.
- GreenCorps(opens in new window) is a place to find your life's calling in environmental sustainability and organizing.
- Green DOT Transportation Solutions(opens in new window) hires Assistant or Associate level Planners. They specialize in transportation planning, bicycle/pedestrian planning, GIS, community outreach, grant writing, data analysis and more. Email resume to Jeff@GreenDOTTransportation.com.
- National Geographic Society(opens in new window) in Washington, D.C. usually has both jobs and internships for geography majors. And you can't beat the international learning experience! Check website for fall or spring application windows.
- National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)(opens in new window) is a federal agency that combines applied GIS, national security, and military service skills backgrounds. Be a geographer in direct service to your country. Check out their Student Opportunities(opens in new window) page.
- Northeast Information Center(opens in new window) (NEIC, based in Chico) maintains a detailed inventory of California's historical anthropological resources and is one of nine regional centers in the state.
- North State Planning & Development Collective(opens in new window) (NSPDC) has a Chico-based Geographical Information Center (GIC)(opens in new window) as part of its organization. The NSPDC is an auxiliary member of Chico State, operating independently of the university. Check the GIC year-round for student or alumni employment or internship opportunities (Chico State Enterprises jobs(opens in new window)).
- The GIC often has positions 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.
- Get paid to be an activist for social change! Student Public Interest Research Groups(opens in new window) ("PIRGs") hire for positions to make a difference on important problems facing our Californian communities. Submit an interest inquiry(opens in new window) or apply at @jobs.studentpirgs.org.
- Oroville (City of) occasionally has jobs for GIS Specialists and Planners.
- Public Lands Transportation Fellows Program (PLTFP)(opens in new window) provides paid opportunities annually to advance the field of transportation. Check for openings in fall/winter.
- Shasta Regional Transportation Agency(opens in new window)
- Stillwater Sciences often employs GIS Analysts(opens in new window) statewide or in West Coast regions.
- Tehama County(opens in new window) is seeking planners! The county has job openings as of April 2025 for a Planner I/II(opens in new window) and a Planner III/IV(opens in new window)
- 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.
- 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.
