What We Believe
At The VirtualIntern, we believe that location, ethnic background, and socioeconomic status should not be barriers to a productive, purposeful career in sustainability, environmental science, or green STEM.
We believe that a more diverse and inclusive environmental workforce today will create a more just and equitable planet tomorrow.
Our Mission
Our mission is twofold – we aim to jumpstart green careers for diverse young talent through virtual internships, and through these placements, we seek to advance environmental equity in all communities.
Our Story
The VirtualIntern is powered by MobilizeGreen, a national nonprofit that was founded in 2014.
From the start, MobilizeGreen’s mission was clear – the organization would achieve a more just and equitable planet by empowering diverse youth to start green careers and drive the change they wanted to see.
We searched far and wide for diverse youth who were exceptionally talented, passionate, energetic, and enthusiastic about solving the world’s environmental, economic, and social equity crises.
Then, we connected them with leaders in the conservation and environmental sectors for challenging internships that provided dynamic, on-the-job training for the interns and essential help for the participating organizations.
For 10 years and counting, we’ve not only transformed careers but also made green STEM a more diverse and impactful sector.
Since our founding, MobilizeGreen’s interns have delivered 408,168 labor hours across 500 projects for employers – a net value of nearly $4,000,000. Each of these projects had a measurable impact in protecting our environment and inspiring these future leaders to continue working toward their professional goals. To learn about our team click here.
Unexpected Challenges & An Increasing Experience Gap
By successfully placing so many interns, we helped green STEM better reflect the diverse nation that the sector serves, and we we’re helping give younger generations a voice in shaping their environmental and economic future. But existing inequities and the COVID-19 crisis complicate the journey.
These inequities leave many young people unemployed or underemployed, financially disadvantaged, and hopeless, with young people of color disproportionately impacted. Overcoming these unprecedented barriers to entry and bridging the ever-expanding experience gap requires a more innovative approach…
The VirtualIntern – A Modern, Effective Solution
The pandemic precipitated a rapid shift to virtual work, leaving young people at a loss for how to gain experience and continue their educational and professional journeys.
The VirtualIntern, an exclusive online platform, expands upon MobilizeGreen’s mission by connecting these students with paid, professional work experience at environmentally-focused organizations.
The VirtualIntern ensures that diverse young people have a seat at the table, regardless of where they’re located. Through our platform, every young person’s voice should be heard and their contribution valued.
The VirtualIntern is the catalyst for true change, enabling our interns to make a positive impact on the world from anywhere in America.