Summer and School-Year Interns
An internship is a valuable addition to an undergraduate curriculum. The goal of the Summer and School-Year Internships is to provide students “hands on” experience and skills working in a public garden. This experience is gained through garden work, field trips, and garden projects. UDBG's staff works with interns in all areas of public garden operations. Students familiar with horticulture can use the internships to expand their horizons, discover new aspects in this diverse industry, and help build their resumes. Classes become more meaningful within the context of the internship experience. Employers place great emphasis on horticultural job experience when looking for employees. Financial support for interns is provided by Patrons of the Spring Plant Sale.
To apply, please submit: 1) letter of interest including career goals; 2) current resume; 3) three letters of references; and 4) transcript(s) to Dr. John Frett: UDBG University of Delaware, 152 Townsend Hall, Newark DE 19716. Materials may also be emailed to jfrett@udel.edu.
Year-Long Internship (not currently open)
| Apply by: | N/A (or until a suitable candidate is found) |
| Duration: | 1 July thru 31 August (flexible dates) |
| Compensation: | $21,000 plus tuition-free courses |
| Requirements: | Bachelor's degree (intern is admitted to non-degree graduate program) |
| Contact: | Dr. John Frett, Director Phone: 302-831-6378; E-mail: jfrett@udel.edu |
Applicants must have a BS degree, as they are admitted to a non-degree graduate program as part of the internship. (GRE scores are not required.) This full-time, year-long internship provides the student with diverse experiences in botanic garden management activities. Activities include membership program administration, educational interpretation, marketing, wet site updating, and plant curation. The intern will assist with the annual benefit plant sale, which may include plant propagation and maintenance, labeling, catalog production, and plant staging. The intern will also work with staff and volunteers to perform horticultural maintenance in the outdoor garden.
The intern may register for two courses per spring and fall semester. Securing housing is the intern’s responsibility, though we will provide assistance. Ample housing is available as Newark is a college town. It is recommended the intern have transportation to take advantage of the numerous horticultural institutions and activities in the area.
Summer and School-Year Internships
| Apply by: | 1 March 2014 (Summer); August 15 (School-year) |
| Duration: | 1 June to August 31, 2014 (approximate dates); 37.5 hrs/week ; UD Fall & Spring Semesters |
| Compensation: | $10.50/hr |
| Requirements: | Must be currently enrolled in university/college |
| Contact: | Dr. John Frett, Director Phone: 302-831-6378; E-mail: jfrett@udel.edu |
Interns spend the summer working in the University of Delaware Botanic Gardens with the garden staff learning garden maintenance skills, gaining experience in public horticulture, building their resumes, while also earning an hourly wage. Students work outside to perform a wide variety of tasks: mow, weed control, prune, mulch, plant, etc. Additionally, they develop specialized skills such as curatorial work, detailed pruning, propagation, and plant identification. Students take several field trips to local public gardens and/or nurseries to further their experience in horticulture.
If students enroll in PLSC 364 for internship credit, they are required to keep a weekly log of their activities. It is the students’ responsibility to pay tuition, enroll in PLSC 364 in the appropriate semester, and fulfill the course requirements.
University of Delaware Botanic Gardens • Newark, DE 19716 • Phone: 302 831-0153 •