Data Visualization Intern
This funded opportunity was created for actively enrolled MIT undergraduate students in partnership with the PKG Center's Social Impact Internship program. Undergraduates with US work authorization that will still be enrolled for Fall 2023 are eligible. As part of the Social Impact Internship program, the selected student will receive a $5,000 stipend for a 300-400 hour internship. Please reach out to pkginternships@mit.edu with any questions or concerns.
The Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) seeks a qualified summer intern to work on data visualization projects. Working closely with CRWA’s Legal and Advocacy team, the intern will will develop an integrated Charles River watershed GIS mapping project that will include:
- Information about State and Federal legislators
- Environmental justice populations
- Priority habitat
- Dams and dam information
- Languages spoken in the watershed
- Invasive species populations
- Additional supplemental layers as needed
The intern will also work with CRWA’s River Science & Stormwater Program to compile and create interactive web visualization (e.g., R-shiny) for water quality data including:
- Combined Sewer Overflows
- Cyanobacterial abundance
- CRWA's weather station
There are opportunities for field work (environmental sampling) depending upon the intern's interest. Interns will participate in the application of their results and see how these types of data projects can support grassroots advocacy efforts, as well as how a holistic approach to watershed analysis can benefit CRWA's legislative priorities.
Potential Skills Gained:
- Learn about water quality and environmental issues
- Professional experience working with a small non-profit organization
- Volunteer engagement and communications
- Working with various types of water quality data
- Watershed mapping and spatial data display
- Sharing science with the public
Desired Experience:
- Willingness to learn and ability to work independently
- An interest in environmental and water quality issues and advocacy
- Preliminary coursework in biology, chemistry, environmental science, or a related field
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software
- R-Shiny or similar software
- An understanding of, or interest learning about, Massachusetts’ political structure and agencies