![[Old] Chesapeake Research Consortium](https://chesapeake.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/LogoForDarkBack.png)
Welcome to C-StREAM!
CRC’s Chesapeake Student Recruitment, Early Advisement, and Mentoring (C-StREAM) program is focused on recruiting, advising, and mentoring college students from populations who have been historically excluded from the environmental field and are underrepresented in environmental research and management professions. For the purpose of this program, C-StREAM focuses on assisting students who identify as people of color and/or who are first generation college students.
The primary goal of C-StREAM is to encourage and support underrepresented students interested in leadership positions in environmental protection and restoration careers. C-StREAM endeavors to support this goal by developing inclusive career pathways that result in more diversity in the environmental workforce. The program works closely with academic institutions as well as government agencies within the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership to place selected students into meaningful summer internships, to support those students in their academic work, and to facilitate pathways for successful careers in environmental research, restoration, and/or management.
Summer Internship Opportunities
CRC works with successful applicants (now identified as “C-StREAM Fellows”) to match them with meaningful summer internships and mentors at one of our partnering host institutions, with the goal of providing continued mentoring and support during the following academic year(s) and summer(s). To support this vision, CRC works to stay connected with the Fellows to provide guidance and support as students continue to navigate their individual track for success.
Each summer, the CRC and its partners support internships that provide students the opportunity to learn about/experience environmental careers within both science and management fields. The program focuses on careers that support the continued restoration of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed, the Bay’s living resources, and the people who live and work within its bounty. C-StREAM Fellows have previously been hosted at the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office (NCBO) in Annapolisand Oxford, MD, at the Chesapeake Bay Program Office (CBPO) in Annapolis, MD, and within CRC’s seven CRC academic member institutions.
C-StREAM Fellows gain experience in natural resource management, restoration science, and environmental policy. Each internship internship experience provides insights into careers in natural resource management, policy development and science beyond those applied for and allows students to make connections with established environmental management and science professionals. Coupled with the experience gained from their summer work, C-StREAM Fellows are provided with professional development opportunities and training on subjects such as time management, effective communication and presentation skills, and developing compelling resumes and cover letters.
C-StREAM Fellows receive stipend payments as well as funding to support housing and transportation needs, occasional internship related travel, and professional development activities.
Applications are solicited annually between mid-December and mid-February of each academic year.
Who Can Apply for a C-StREAM Internship?
C-StREAM is designed to create pathways for underrepresented* students to pursue careers in environmental research and management. C-StREAM is intended for any continuing undergraduate, at any level of study (including seniors pursuing graduate studies in the fall) who identifies as being one or both of the following:
- a person of color
- a first generation college student
C-StREAM Fellows who have successfully completed prior C-StREAM internships are especially encouraged to apply and will be given priority consideration by the CRC.
C-StREAM Summer 2021!
Due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, we have not yet determined if these internships will be offered as virtual or in-person experiences. We are preparing for both and regardless of format, are committed to providing safe, enriching and worthwhile experiences to all of our summer 2021 C-StREAM Fellows.
The 2021 C-StREAM program will offer eight summer internship opportunities. Five of these opportunities will be hosted by our partners at the Chesapeake Bay Program Office and the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office. These management-based experiences will provide C-StREAM Fellows with a unique opportunity to contribute to large-scale, long-term natural resource management and policy development. Three internship opportunities will be hosted by three of CRC’s member institutions and will provide students with direct experience supporting research activities that contribute to the understanding of the Bay’s natural systems and species. Both management and research internships will contribute to the critical understanding of new ways to improve Chesapeake Bay water quality and manage Chesapeake Bay living resources most effectively and efficiently across the 64,000 square mile Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Management-based C-StREAM opportunities:
3 internship positions hosted by the Chesapeake Bay Program Office
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice Analysis
- Equity and Outreach
- Immersive Geovisualization of Landscape Change
2 internship positions hosted by the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office
Research-based C-StREAM opportunities:
3 internship positions hosted by CRC member institutions
CRC is currently working to identify the specific research projects and host institutions for our summer 2021 research internship positions. One of the three opportunities has been identified and is presented below. Two additional opportunities will be confirmed and will be hosted by two of CRC’s seven academic member institutions.
Students interested in gaining experience in management, policy, and/or research positions should submit an application to the C-StREAM program. You will be asked to specify interest in specific internship opportunities and institutions as part of the application process.
Duration and Compensation
The summer 2021 C-StREAM internship program will begin Monday, May 24, 2021 and end Friday, August 13, 2021. These are our preferred dates, but the dates can be adjusted to accommodate a student’s school schedule if required. All C-StREAM Fellows will receive a stipend up to $6,000 ($500/week) for the equivalent of 12 weeks (480 hours) of full-time activities. Candidates should expect to follow a normal weekday work schedule (roughly 9-5, M-F) with occasional variations for possible field work or other activities. No benefits are provided. We offer assistance in arranging local housing if the position is an in-person opportunity if desired. A one-time housing and transportation allowance of $1,000 is available to each intern to assist with living and transportation expenses. Funds are also available to compensate interns for occasional work-related travel and professional development activities.
*Green 2.0 conducted a study which found People of color are 36% of the U.S. population, and comprise 29% of the science and engineering workforce but they do not exceed 16% of the staff in any of the organizations surveyed. For decades, environmental organizations have stressed the value of diversity however the diversity composition has not broken the 16% green ceiling. People of color support environmental protection at a higher rate than whites. However, environmental organizations are not adequately reaching out to organizations representing people of color communities. See other data from NSF here: https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/showpub.cfm?TopID=2&SubID=27)