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EDICT Internships

Applications for summer 2024 internships are now closed. Sign up to our mailing list to be notified when our next cycle opens up.

EDICT Internship Program

The EDICT (Empowering Diverse Climate Talent) Internship Program is a 10-week immersive program designed to help students gain work experience at climate organizations, tap into growth opportunities with a cohort of peers and develop a professional network in the climate sector.

 

 

EDICT is a partnership between Clean Energy Leadership Institute (CELI), Elemental Excelerator, and FutureMap. It is designed to match employers from all corners of climate innovation — for-profits, nonprofits, funders, and government organizations — with aspiring climate professionals, college students, and recent graduates from traditionally excluded backgrounds.

Includes Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual (LGBTQIA+) community, people who have disabilities, people from low-income backgrounds, people who identify as nonbinary and women who continue to be severely underrepresented in our sector.

Program overview

How your summer will look

Professional Growth

In addition to contributing to meaningful projects with their host companies, interns will attend professional growth workshops hosted throughout the summer by people with over a decade of experience working in clean energy. Workshop topics include:

  • Clean energy 101 workshop series 
  • Communication and virtual work norms
  • Managing up and taking feedback
  • Managing stress and workplace dynamics
  • Identity and authenticity
  • Networking on the job
  • Update your Resume + LinkedIn
  • Public Speaking

Community Building

The EDICT experience provides interns with numerous opportunities to build a strong community. Throughout the program, interns will be surrounded by a cohort of peers with shared lived experiences who will also be navigating interning at a climate organization. In addition to this peer community, EDICT offers the following community-building resources:

  • An assigned internship coordinator who will conduct regular one-on-one meetings with interns throughout the summer to provide support and ensure a successful internship experience.
  • We’ll host career panels where you can connect with a diverse group of leaders working in the clean energy sector and gain insights into the various career paths within the field of climate.
  • Exposure to grassroots activism, regulatory policy, renewable energy technologies, entrepreneurship, and other ways to launch a career fighting climate change!
  • Once you’re part of EDICT, you’re a member for life! This means you’ll have access to all our partners’ resources, events, and future job opportunities to continue supporting your career beyond EDICT.

Time commitment

Internships will range from 30–40 hours per week depending on the role. We recommend you do NOT pair this internship with additional commitments such as summer school or external jobs. There may be exceptions in certain cases, let us know your other summer commitments in your application.

Intern Testimonials

Simonne Cudmore

EDICT Summer Intern, EnergyHub

"This was my first internship and I was nervous that my experience would be like the stereotypical experience where I wouldn't really be doing a lot of hands-on work, but I'm happy my experience was the opposite. I got to work on some really cool projects that expanded on my prior knowledge and learned a bunch of information on clean energy."

Sabreen Ahmed

EDICT Summer Intern, New Columbia Solar

"I'm most proud of the campaigns I created on my host company's social media accounts. I was able to produce a content calendar, a collection of graphics & videos that helped me improve my design skills, and a report that outlined insights and recommendations. I was recognized by the VP of Development and other executive leaders for my work."

Dorian Cyubahiro

EDICT Summer Intern, Generate Capital

"I'm proud of the skills I was able to develop throughout my internship. I'm also proud of my capstone presentation for my company."

Eligibility

EDICT is open to current college students, recent graduates, and graduate students from traditionally excluded backgrounds interested in pursuing a career that will help fight climate change. Candidates from the following groups are especially encouraged to apply: Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC); members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual (LGBTQIA+) communities; people who have disabilities; people from low-income backgrounds; people who identify as nonbinary; and women. We also welcome applicants of all majors and US geographic areas.

Note: Interns who participated in EDICT Summer 2023 do not qualify to participate in EDICT Summer 2024. 

Key dates

January 15 – February 5, 2024

January 15 – February 5, 2024

Intern application period.

January 18, 2024

January 18, 2024

Info session (A) at 3 p.m. PT. Nailing the Internship Application.

View info session notes & recording

January 30, 2024

January 30, 2024

Info session (B) at 11 a.m. PT. Nailing the Internship Application.

Register

Week of June 7, 2024

Week of June 7, 2024

Mandatory intern orientation.

June 10, 2024

June 10, 2024

Interns' first day at their host companies.

August 16, 2024

August 16, 2024

The EDICT internship concludes with a capstone presentation.

January 2025

January 2025

Applications for summer 2025 go live!

FAQs

This would be my first internship. Am I still able to apply?

Most definitely! We encourage all eligible applicants to apply. At this time, our program is open to undergraduate students, recent graduates, and graduate students currently enrolled in school.

Note: While the EDICT Program doesn’t have an “experience requirement”, employer partners have the discretion to select candidates that most fit their organization’s needs. Previous candidate experience may be a factor in their decision making process. 

If I’m not selected by any of my top 5 companies, is it still possible to be hired elsewhere?

We will try our best to match qualified applicants with the companies in their top 5, however, you may be considered for other available roles. We also cannot guarantee that you will be hired as an EDICT intern; that is up to the employer’s discretion.

I’m not sure I have any relevant skills. Should I still apply?

Of course! We encourage all applicants to explore potential positions, regardless of their perceived relevant skillset. The internship may provide an opportunity for you to gain skills you hope to develop.

If I get an internship with a company that is not a part of EDICT, can I still participate in EDICT’s Friday sessions?

Unfortunately EDICT Friday sessions are ONLY for EDICT interns. If you’re interested in participating, we suggest you apply through our program.

I applied last year but didn’t get accepted. Can I apply again this year?

Without question! We encourage all interested and eligible participants to apply regardless of if they’ve applied in the past.

I participated in EDICT last year; can I apply again this year?

Unfortunately, no. A lot of the skills development and energy literacy sessions will be a repeat of last year so we want to open up the internships for new students.

I’m not sure what roles would suit me best. What should I do?

Feel free to pursue a variety of roles that interest you. It may be hard to decide but we suggest you pursue your interest, and the right role will find you!

I got another internship offer from an opportunity outside of EDICT, how do I proceed?

Let us know immediately at internships@elementalexcelerator.com if you are opting to take another opportunity so we can remove you from the pool of applicants.

I have a planned vacation that overlaps with the program. Am I allowed to miss sessions?

We have an expectation that all participants will attend every session. There will be an allowance of 2 missed sessions for everyone. Any more would be grounds for dismissal from the program.

What does the process look like?

  • After you submit your application, the EDICT team will screen and review your submission.
  • If you are selected for the next step, you will hear directly from the employer on their interview process.

Due to special circumstances, I need to maintain other employment and/or enroll in summer classes during the duration of the EDICT program. Would I be given permission to maintain this on top of the internship?

Please discuss your specific situation with your host employer as they may have certain stipulations.

Note: The EDICT professional development sessions have a strict attendance policy. Please make sure you external commitments allow you to attend these in addition to mandatory employer meetings and expectations. 

When can I expect to hear back?

Employers will receive a list of semi-finalists by mid-March. Interviews will take place from then to early April. You will hear directly from the company if selected to interview. Please be patient as you may still be considered up until an offer is accepted.

 

Note: If you have not been selected, you will receive an email once all EDICT internships have been filled (estimated date: late April).

Are the internships paid or unpaid?

All internships are PAID! Depending on the type of organization (pay can differ with nonprofits, government or utility jobs, technical roles, large vs. small companies), pay ranges from $16 per hour at a minimum to $22+ per hour.

Become an EDICT intern!

Applications for summer 2024 internships are now closed. Sign up to our mailing list to be notified when our next cycle opens up.