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The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) encourages and supports internships where feasible. Students who are looking for internships at SCDES can use the information on this page as a guide to get started.

Internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career paths; and give employers the opportunity to guide and evaluate talent. - National Association of Colleges and Employers

Getting Started

At SCDES, we’re passionate about working with students and supporting the next generation of environmental leaders. With more than 1,200 employees across the state, we’re committed to protecting the health of the public and the environment in South Carolina.

We encourage you to learn more who we are and what we do — and how interns like you can be part of that mission.

Search for Internships

While some of our internships are posted on the South Carolina Careers website, not all opportunities are advertised there. We often match interns based on their interests and the unique needs of our programs. That’s why we recommend filling out the Intern Interest Form.

By submitting the form, you give SCDES’s Office of Recruitment & Retention permission to share your information with programs that are seeking interns. We regularly review submissions and will reach out if an opportunity becomes available that aligns with your background or interests.

In the meantime, feel free to keep checking the South Carolina Careers website, follow SCDES on social media and don’t hesitate to reach out to the Office of Human Resources Recruitment & Retention if you have any questions.

Internships for Class and/or Graduation Credit

To receive class and/or graduation credit for an agency internship, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) is required between SCDES and the student's academic institution. If SCDES does not have an MOA with a school, please allow 4-6 weeks for processing.

SCDES does not guarantee an internship based on an academic institution's active MOA with SCDES. Non-paid, for-credit internships depend on many factors, such as location, student interests, and SCDES staffing/project availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Generally speaking, internships for class and/or graduation credit are not paid. Internships not for class and/or graduation credit are, in many cases, paid. However, a program searching for interns will share the specifics with you, including whether or not the internship is paid.

The duration of for-credit, unpaid internships depends on how many hours and/or projects the class/academic institution requires for completion. Students should have specific requirements in writing from their academic institution.

The duration of paid, non-credit internships varies depending on funding and work requiring completion. Some recent paid internships have been for six (6) weeks. However, many paid summer internships with Environmental Affairs have lasted for more than two (2) months. Grant-funded internships can sometimes be extended, provided additional funding is available. When a paid internship is advertised, the duration and hours will be listed.

For-credit, unpaid internships are evaluated based on specific requirements from the student's instructor and/or academic institution.

Although SCDES staff do not assign internship grades, instructors usually request regular updates and formal feedback from internship supervisors. Most instructors weigh evaluations from internship supervisors heavily in determining a grade and/or whether or not the student has fulfilled internship requirements.

Non-credit, paid internships are evaluated by the intern's supervisor. The supervisor considers these interns paid, hourly employees and will prepare formal position descriptions with specific job duties. In some cases, paid internship supervisors also consult with colleagues for whom the intern has provided project assistance to determine if expectations have been met.

Whether it is for-credit (unpaid) or paid, internships should be taken seriously. Interns are expected to act professionally at all times and use the experience to prepare for a career. Making a good impression through outstanding internship performance can also lead to a future full-time job: employers often use internships to evaluate potential future employees.

SCDES does not offer housing for internships. However, internships are often available or can be arranged in multiple locations throughout South Carolina, depending on agency and/or school requirements.

Virtual and hybrid options (combination of in-person and remote work) are at the discretion of each hiring manager. Some recent paid summer internships have been hybrid. Virtual options for unpaid, for-credit internships also depend upon specific requirements from a student's academic program.

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