Internship applications are welcome from students and recent graduates who are committed to making renewable energy the focus of their career paths.

Intern program participants engage in research, writing and cross-departmental assistance based on their interests and the organization’s current focus. During ACORE’s internship, one of the main focus is the development and presentation of an individual research project. This project focuses the intern’s attention and knowledge on a particular facet of the renewable energy industry, preparing them to seek a job in that area. Interns work on their papers by researching a topic of their choosing and interviewing members of the renewable energy sector, as well as potential employers, through personal introductions by staff and networking opportunities.

Interns support the ACORE departments listed below:

Application Process

Please submit a resume and cover letter to intern@acore.org. In your cover letter, let us get to know you by explaining what you would like to gain from an ACORE internship, why you want to pursue a career in the renewable energy industry, and what kind of career paths are of interest to you. Please indicate particular ACORE department(s) for which you are applying.

Intern Session Timelines

Fall Session: apply by August 9, 2019
Spring Session: apply by November 15, 2019
Summer Session: apply by March 6, 2020

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should apply? Internship applications are welcome from rising seniors, new graduates and graduate students personally committed to making renewable energy the focus of their future career. We welcome applications from many majors, and from all U.S. universities. Please note that ACORE does not assist with obtaining visas to work/study in the U.S.

Where will you intern? Internships are based in our Washington, D.C. offices. Remote or web-based internships are not available.

What is expected of you as an intern? As an ACORE intern,  you are expected to work with staff to identify, define and pursue a project of interest that will form the core content of your work. Some interns know what project they want to pursue before starting; others define the project after arriving at the organization. The core project is designed to help you gain specialized knowledge in one area of the renewable energy industry. Most interns will spend 25-50 percent of their total time focused on their core project. In addition to the project, you are expected to delve into the resources provided to you by the staff to gain a broad-based understanding of the industry.

In the space of networking and industry exploration, you are expected to take advantage of all opportunities to attend lectures, briefing, conferences and networking events to gain a broader understanding of the numerous organizations and viewpoints in the space. Keeping your job search in mind, you will be expected to work out a personal informational interviewing plan, identifying individuals working in your areas of career interest, to gain a better understanding of future opportunities. Lastly, as a team player in a fast-paced office, we ask that you assist with administrative tasks as assigned.

Are the internships full-time or part-time? Internships are customized to individual interns’ schedules. Most internships are 2 or 3 full days per week for 3 to 4 months. Based on your individual academic schedule and availability, full-time internships are available. The internship program is unpaid. Many participants who are not currently enrolled in school choose to work part-time alongside a part-time internship.