Past interns shared their experiences and advice they have for future interns. Read what the 2025 summer interns had to say.
The Friends of the Reserve (FOR) have three undergraduate summer internship opportunities in 2026:
The N.C. Coastal Reserve Undergraduate Internship was created by the Reserve and the Friends of the Reserve to provide opportunities to promising and talented students to pursue study and careers in coastal and estuarine sciences. The internship funds students to work with the Reserve to gain professional experience working in coastal and estuarine science, education, and management to support their academic and career pursuits in these fields.
FOR sponsors internships for promising and talented students to work with the Reserve staff at the Reserves each spring/summer. The awards will consist of a travel/housing stipend of $1500 and a paid summer internship consisting of 30 hours/week for 10-12 weeks at $15.00/hour. Start and end dates are to be determined, but the internship typically starts in May and ends in July.
Below are the internship opportunities in the three Reserve regions. Please indicate on the application if you prefer one region or are interested in being considered for all three regions.
Northern Sites Internship
The northern reserve sites (Currituck Banks, Kitty Hawk Woods, and Buxton Woods Reserves) intern will be based out of the Northern Sites Office at the National Park Service headquarters in Manteo. Work will focus on a range of stewardship related projects in maritime forest settings including trail maintenance, species and habitat management activities, and outreach. The successful applicant will be required to work in the field in a variety of weather conditions.
Knowledge, skills, and abilities: background in natural sciences, interest in the management of natural areas, ability to use hand tools, and ability to communicate effectively. Knowledge of coastal plant species, ability to collect and organize data, and experience using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is preferred. Ability and desire to work outdoors in forested setting conditions including insects, heat and humidity.
Rachel Carson Reserve Central Site Internship
Rachel Carson Reserve intern will be based out of the Beaufort office. The intern will conduct natural resources monitoring and management activities to include wild horse monitoring (observing individuals within the herd from field locations or a boat,) and assisting with recording field data, protected species monitoring and surveys (plants, reptiles, and birds.) Interns will assist with site maintenance, debris removal, boardwalk and trail maintenance, and other activities related to reserve property maintenance, and supervised operation and care of equipment and vessels. The opportunity exists for interns to observe or assist with research and education programs at the reserve.
Knowledge, skills, and abilities: background in natural sciences; ability to work independently or as part of a team; ability to work in outdoor conditions to include hiking through muddy, sandy, or wet terrain in coastal habitats; being exposed to hot and humid weather conditions; and tolerate insects and irritating plants; must be comfortable with being on an open boat; some boating skills and knowledge of using drills, saws, hammers, and basic landscaping tools preferred, but not required.
Southern Sites Internship
The southern reserve sites (Masonboro Island, Zeke's Island, Bald Head Woods, and Bird Island) intern will be based out of the Southern Sites Office at the UNCW Center for Marine Science in Wilmington, NC. Work will focus on a range of stewardship related projects including site maintenance, species and habitat monitoring (including sea turtle surveys), as well as outreach activities. The successful applicant will be required to work in the field in a
variety of weather conditions.
Knowledge, skills, and abilities: background in a science related field, interest in the management of natural areas, ability to work in uncomfortable outdoor conditions while walking up to 9 miles in a given day (humidity, extreme heat, buggy, etc.), and ability to work independently and part of a team effectively. Knowledge of barrier island processes, ability to collect and organize data, and experience using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is preferred. Access to field sites requires transport by boat or kayak so a familiarity with motorized and/or non-motorized boating is preferred.
Eligibility:
To be considered for the N.C. Coastal Reserve Undergraduate Internship, students must:
- be currently enrolled in a two- or four-year science program at a N.C. college or university;
- be of freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior standing; and
- show academic promise as evidenced by academic references.
Recipients include but are not be limited to students aligned with one or more of the following categories:
- Racial, cultural, or ethnic minorities,
- Diverse gender and sexual orientations,
- Physical or developmental disabilities or differences,
- First generation college student, and/or
- Non-traditional student*
*College students may be classified as "nontraditional" because of their age or employment status, or because they have one or more dependents, are independent for financial aid, are enrolled part time or don't have a traditional high school diploma, among other reasons, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Applications are due January 23, 2026 (11:59 pm). Apply here.
One State of NC Internship opportunity is available at the North Carolina Coastal Reserve Beaufort office for summer 2026:
Coastal Reserve Research and Education Internship
Job Duties: The intern will work with N.C. Coastal Reserve research and education staff to conduct estuarine field research in the field and lab, assist with outreach and educational programs, and have the opportunity to work some with the stewardship staff to help manage the natural resources of an island nature reserve.
Major Task to be Performed: The intern will participate in several types of scientific field sampling, including marsh vegetation surveys, shoreline mapping using drone technology, and deploying and retrieving water quality instruments. The intern will also assist with summer day camp activities with K-8 students and public field trips (kids and adults). The intern will also likely conduct bird and wild horse surveys, maintain public access points, and provide assistance with maintaining reserve boats.
Final Product or Outcome Anticipated: The intern will: a) enhance research, education and stewardship efforts and b) support a goal of the N.C. Coastal Reserve to engage students in hands-on learning experiences. The intern will learn: a) new research pathways and natural resource survey techniques and understand how results can inform coastal management decisions; b) how to use critical thinking skills to address natural resource management challenges; c) educational and outreach methods for engaging local communities.
Academic Majors Desired: Biology, Environmental Science, Marine Biology, Ecology, Natural Resources Management
Applications are due January 30, 2026 (11:59 pm). See more details and apply here.
Learn more about the State of NC Internship program.
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