Building Relationships, Inclusivity, Diversity, Growth, and Excellence (BRIDGE)

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Mission

BRIDGE is WWF’s diversity-focused summer internship program, facilitated by the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) team. Launched in 2021, it is a paid internship opportunity aimed at a diverse pool of talented undergraduate and graduate students who could bring fresh thinking and innovation to the environmental sector. In particular, WWF aims to employ interns who have not previously had a breadth of professional experience.

BRIDGE's mission is to:

Increase exposure of students from underrepresented populations to careers in conservation and sustainability.

Provide professional development that will enhance marketability for future conservation jobs.

Reduce the barriers to attracting a diverse pool of internship candidates.

Develop a pipeline for future hires from underrepresented populations.

BRIDGE program at-a-glance

Application Criteria

General Information

  • Undergraduate and graduate positions available
  • Paid: $17/hour for undergraduates, $21/hour for graduates
  • Virtual in 2021 and 2022, planning for in-person starting in 2023 with potential virtual options
  • 10-week program (June 5 to August 11, 2023)
  • Full-time schedule (35/hours week) – including every other Friday off (see “Other Program Amenities”)

(All of the following must be met to qualify for the BRIDGE program):

  1. Applicant must be a current, active student in associate's, bachelor's, or non-doctoral graduate level program.

    Additionally, students finishing a bachelor's degree program in the spring term who plan to immediately enroll in a non-doctoral graduate program subsequent to receiving their degree are only qualified for graduate level positions. Students finishing an associate's degree program who plan to immediately enroll in a bachelor's degree program in a subsequent school term are permitted to apply to BRIDGE.

  2. Applicant must have existing work authorization in the United States, and not require the additional sponsorship of a visa.
  3. For 2023's virtual program, applicants must physically reside in a state in which WWF is legally registered to operate. Please refer to the job descriptions on our Careers website for the latest list of permissible states.
  4. WWF is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace and requires all US-based staff, including interns, to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. WWF will consider requests for accommodation from the vaccine requirement based on disability, medical contraindication, sincerely held religious belief, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

Past BRIDGE intern projects that have contributed to WWF’s mission include:

Human Resources

A job description repository for all WWF employees

Private Sector Engagement

A study on the nexus between the oil and gas sector and virgin plastic production

Marketing and Communications

A communications strategy for environmentally themed recognition days

Development

A review of grant proposals and reports

Forests

A synthesis on Amazonian land infrastructure, watersheds, indigenous territories, and laws and their impact on deforestation

Professional Development and Networking Opportunities

BRIDGE interns have access to professional development opportunities, including Cornell University’s eCornell program and resume and interviewing training. They also have access to an array of networking opportunities, including meetings with WWF’s senior management team, employee resource groups, and representatives from other departments.

Other program amenities

Although interns aren't eligible for full benefits, BRIDGE interns can take advantage of several program amenities, including:

  • Compressed work week, with every other Friday off
  • 5 days of paid sick leave for DC-based interns
  • Ability to contribute to WWF retirement account, 403(b) (without employer match)
  • Access to Employee Assistance Program
  • Access to Calm app
  • Employee discounts to Patagonia, local restaurants, and more
  • Jessica Leung of the DEI team presents to students at the HBCU career fair hosted at WWF-US headquarters in DC about the BRIDGE program.

    Linda Orajekwe, Bowie State University

    DEI University Relations Graduate Intern, People and Culture

    "This experience has exposed me to the various areas of Human Resources and the role of HR in not just facilitating the meaningful connection of the various pieces of the culture of an organization, but also strategizing ways to ensure that culture is compelling enough to attract and retain top talent."

  • Renee Johnson, SVP of People and Culture, has a conversation with a student.

    Adrian Kulbeck, Aaniiih Nakoda College

    Fort Belknap /Tatága (Buffalo) Center Outreach and Engagement Undergraduate Intern, Freshwater & Food

    “WWF was a valuable experience that will benefit me greatly in my future endeavors.”

  • A student talks to members of the wildlife team at the HBCU Career fair

    Victoria Jenkins, Christopher Newport University

    Institutional Partnerships Undergraduate Intern, Development

    "WWF has reassured me that top conservation leaders are working at issues involving conservation justice, climate displacement of communities, and political/business ideologies. I loved being able to work in a place that was so interdisciplinary. I felt that I could explore all aspects of conservation, and all WWF employees, including Senior Vice Presidents, were open to teaching and guiding me into this amazing field of work."

How to apply

BRIDGE positions will be posted on our Careers website in March 2023 for our 2023 summer recruitment. To apply, you must provide:

  • A cover letter
  • A resume
  • If selected as a final candidate, you will also be asked to provide a letter of recommendation.

Contact us

Have a question about the program? Please email us at [email protected].

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