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Youth and Emerging Professionals

 

Summer OYC Internship

We are accepting applications for the OYC Internship (Intern, Sustainability).

This position works 28 hours a week from May 18 to August 7. A resume and cover letter are highly recommended when applying for this position.

LEARN MORE & APPLY

 

ParticipantsThe Outdoor Youth Corps, a series of four annual paid education and workforce development programs, first launched in 2015, connects St. Louis region youth ages 16 to 20 with stewardship projects within their communities. The program and its stewardship projects are focused on four pillar areas: conservation, horticulture, sustainability, and community engagement. OYC goes beyond traditional job training by inspiring a new generation of environmental stewards and green professionals. A team of environmental educators and conservation professionals leads OYC.

To create our hands-on learning environment, we have intentional partnerships with 50+ St. Louis regional organizations and individuals that provide opportunities to gain work experience, build professional tools, network experiences, and hear about all types of career paths. Along with hands-on experience, OYC programs provide career and college readiness resources like mock interviews, career panels, resume and cover letter writing workshops, and professional etiquette. Outdoor Youth Corps empowers young people to become environmentally conscious leaders and active community contributors, fostering personal growth and professional development.

Each program is made up of a crew of 10 participants and provides career mentorship by introducing them to a wide variety of career paths, training opportunities, and paid work experiences. Opportunities available include; urban farming, lessons on biodiversity, invasive species removal, plant identification, ecological restoration, tool use training, collaboration with community organizations, career panels, college visits, team building, and more!

The Outdoor Youth Corps not only provides work experiences but also educational field trips, professional development activities, and three events during our Summer Crew program with the St. Louis Green Teen Alliance.

Meet new friends from across St. Louis and build strong, lifelong connections while discovering exciting opportunities, exploring diverse interests, and making unforgettable memories.

Participant working in fieldParticipant Benefits:

  • Paid $15.00/hour (stipend)
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Bus passes for participants to and from their residence to our daily start location at the Garden
  • Snacks and lunch provided
  • Opportunity to attend alumni events

Job Requirements:

  • Ability to work outdoors in a variety of conditions, and inclement weather
  • Ability to lift 40 lbs. occasionally, and carry out potentially physically demanding tasks
  • Must be between the ages of 16–20
  • Must be able to arrive at job site on time
 

The Outdoor Youth Corps hosts four paid annual cohorts, each welcoming 10 participants aged 16–20. Each session is designed to foster a dynamic mix of experience levels, with a goal of half of the participants being returning members and the other half joining for the first time.

Weekend Work Series (August–April)

Serves as an introduction to OYC program, green careers, and local environmental issues. Engages a cohort of 20 OYC members to participate in Saturday stewardship days that focus on hands-on experiences and field trips around restoration, conservation, sustainability, and community engagement projects.

Alternative Spring Break (March)

OYC youth will participate in a five-day immersive experience focused around one focus area in collaboration with a selected community partner organization. Program activities blend hands-on work, educational workshops, and field trips for this week of learning and exploration.

Summer Crew (June–July)

This eight-week program provides youth with real green job work experience while developing career and environmental literacy skills through hands-on stewardship projects, unique learning opportunities, field trips, behind-the-scenes tours, and guest speaker presentations. Youth will develop practical and transferrable skills as they participate in activities such as basic plant identification, community beautification, planting and harvesting at urban farms, community science projects, public teaching, reuse projects, and more. Participants will be challenged to develop their skills as communicators, problem-solvers, critical thinkers, and effective team members as part of this program.

(NEW!) Alumni Collective (Quarterly)

This program offers opportunities for past OYC participants to continue their relationship with the Garden. Alumni events provide past participants with valuable professional networking, opportunities to connect with peers and local environmental leaders, and experience Garden events and other unique offerings.

 
 

Career Pathway

We strive to connect our participants with green career pathways in St. Louis that allow them to invest in their communities. OYC’s sister program, Outdoor Leadership Corps (OLC), provides an opportunity for OYC participants to explore conservation in more depth with our partner Great Rivers Greenway. Through these programs, we can cultivate the next generation of environmental leaders.

 

OYC career pathway graphic


  “I gained skills in better collaboration/communication, improved collaboration skills professional development-resumes, interviews, etc. These skills will help my goals in getting a job in horticulture or engineering.”
—OYC participant, Summer Crew 2024

“My favorite topics covered in the program were horticulture, professional development, and speaking up for yourself. I gained strengths in taking initiative, leadership, communication, teamwork, and confidence. I enjoyed this program because it is so diverse and different from other jobs in a good way.”
—OYC participant, Summer Crew 2024

“I gained the skills of learning to advocate for yourself in the workplace. There is such a stigma against knowing your worth, but we (OYC participants) got so much affirmation and difference between hard and soft skills to bring out in an interview. I learned that my personality is important. This work has provided me with experience and networking connections to make my career dreams happen!”
—OYC participant, Summer Crew 2024

“My expectations were met, I socialized with new people and learned that it’s okay to try new things and make mistakes. I learned to ask questions to learn new things, asking others for help, and taking feedback to be a more mature employee. Focusing on work when I'm at work and not letting outside things impact my work. Not feeling like I need my phone in front of my face always or always calling someone."
—OYC participant Fall Weekend Work Series 2024

“I love this program! It gives me the opportunity to express myself in ways that benefit my community and those around me”
—OYC participant Fall Weekend Work Series 2024

“Although I'm mostly interested in the veterinary field, this program expanded my interests into ecology and horticulture as well and introduced me to possible career options. OYC and staff are wonderfully positive, energetic, kind and knowledgably and I am grateful to have been part of it!"
—OYC participant Fall Weekend Work Series 2024

“It was a really good learning experience and very eye opening to the environment I live in and how I can use these skills to make it better.”
—OYC participant, Fall 2022

“I enjoyed working at new places every week and receiving advice from professionals with years of experience. There was never a boring day, and I really feel like I have a grasp on the careers and opportunities available to me in the future.”
—OYC participant, Summer 2022 Crew

“I loved the program. Getting to spend time in the environment and going on field trips was an amazing job. I met great people along the way and learned new possibilities for my future.”
—OYC participant, Alternative Spring Break 2022

 

 

For additional Outdoor Youth Corps program information, or if you have any questions, contact us via email at outdooryouthcorps@mobot.org.