Environmental managers have an extremely varied workload within three main areas: the public sector, the private sector, and volunteer-based organizations. Understanding the goals of each sector will help you determine where you’d like to kick off your environmental management internship abroad.

The public sector involves government entities that often collaborate with private sector companies. The goal of the public sector is often to improve the overall environmental management approach of a specific community and reduce the environmental impacts of locals. This sector is also required to meet specific regulatory, legislative, and public policy requirements.

On the other hand, within the private sector there are agencies, trading funds, and public corporations. This sector often involves corporate institutions fighting for the preservation and recovery of natural resources utilizing various Environmental Management Systems, like the ISO 14001.

Finally, volunteer-based organizations are comprised of various entities like non-governmental organizations and community groups that work toward a better environment. These groups share a strong passion for environmental preservation and social responsibility.

If you’re just starting out in the field, you can also consider interning abroad as an environmental science and protection technician. These type of roles usually entail working in the field or in laboratories to examine specific sources of pollution.

If you have more experience in the field, try interning as an environmental scientist for the private or public sector. As an environmental scientist, you can utilize knowledge of the natural sciences to protect the health of humans and the environment. Whether in the laboratory or in the field, environmental scientists perform field research and monitor various aspects of the air, water, and land.

Another type of environmental management internship abroad is as an environmental engineer. These professionals utilize their knowledge in soil science and engineering to create environmental solutions, often focusing their research on issues related to recycling and waste disposal or water and air pollution control.