Graduate Student Internships at EPA and NIEHS

"So far, this internship has been the best. The training and attention to detail are much appreciated and there's always something to do. So often with internships and graduate assistantships, the hosting institution allows the student to float freely for the duration of the internship. That is not true of the EPA. I'm gaining valuable skills, and the office environment is friendly and supportive."

"As much as the UNC program at SILS, the EPA Library internship has given me my education. I couldn't be more grateful, or wish the program more success."

"...I am gaining insight into collection development, budgeting, and some library administrative work...To me this is a prime example of why the EPA internship is extremely good preparation and experience for future jobs."

"I think that my skills as an OCLC searcher are getting stronger every day. I'm having better luck with authority file searches for companies and names, and am finally getting the knack of exploiting the possibilities inherent in each field of the MARC record."

"I wouldn't be moving on to my new professional position without the experience I've gained here."

"My continued work in ILL has allowed me to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of library operations."

"Of course, there are still those questions that stump me. However, the difference now is that I don't panic or get nervous like I did when I first started...I have learned so much that even with the extremely difficult question, I at least know how to begin..."

"I feel I have greatly benefitted from my experience as an intern, and have learned much about providing quality information services to scientific researchers."

"It's a really good opportunity to get a complete sense of how libraries function. The five rotations cover a broad range of library tasks and they give interns a well-rounded education outside of the classroom."

"The internship provides practical experience that will benefit my overall career. As an intern, you learn a variety of skills in a pleasant work environment."

"EPA interns tend to form a close community and help one another in and out of work and school."

"Working as an intern at the EPA library, I have gained a better understanding of how the different areas of a library function together as a whole."

"The NIEHS internship educated me about the workings of a small scientific library. It provided much needed insight into the complex world of information needs and simultaneously helped me develop skills to make intricate information circumstances more discernable for information seekers. The knowledge gained at the NIEHS has definitely readied me for future work in an information-seeking environment"

"One of the good things about working here is that not only are the librarians available when problems arise, but new interns like me can count on those who have been here awhile and who are familiar with the kind of puzzles that come up."

"I have begun to feel reasonably confident about my ability to handle at least routine requests, although paradoxically I'm feeling a little subdued now that I realize how much information of a very sophisticated and technical nature a good reference librarian needs to master."

"My cataloging rotation has been a very good experience."