An internship is a valuable supplement to an undergraduate curriculum. The goal of the internships is to provide students with hands on experience and skills working in a public garden. Interns spend the summer working in the University of Delaware Botanic Gardens with the garden staff learning garden maintenance skills, gaining experience in public horticulture, and the importance of record keeping while earning an hourly wage.
UDBG’s staff works with interns in all areas of public garden operation helping them gain experience through garden work, field trips, and projects. Students familiar with horticulture can use the internships to expand their horizons, discover new aspects in this diverse industry, and create meaningful connections between course material and practical experience. Employers place great emphasis on work experience when looking for employees. Financial support for student interns is provided by Patrons of the Spring Plant Sale, other generous donations, and Endowed Summer Internships.
To apply, please submit: 1) letter of interest including career goals; 2) current resume; 3) three letters of reference; and 4) transcript(s) to Andrew Adams (Horticulture Manager, 152 Townsend Hall, University of Delaware, Newark DE 19716, or email aadamsud@udel.edu.
Tour the Garden with our 2021 Summer Interns
See what our former interns are doing now.
Summer Internships
Apply by:
31 March 2024
Duration:
June 3rd to August 23rd, 2024; 37.5 hrs/week;
Compensation:
$14.00/hr
Requirements:
Must be 18+ and currently enrolled as a full-time student in a university/college or meeting the final credit requirements towards graduation at the time of application.
Contact:
Andrew Adams, Horticulture Manager
E-mail: aadamsud@udel.edu
The UDBG has a minimum of four full time summer internships available for 2024. Students are expected to be highly motivated, hard-working, dependable, able to work in groups and independently. There is no required horticulture experience necessary. Interns will spend the summer working in the gardens with staff learning maintenance skills and gaining
experience in public horticulture. Students will work outside performing a wide variety of tasks such as mowing, weed control, pruning, planting, hardscape installation, and more.
In addition, they will develop specialized skills such as curatorial work and detailed pruning and propagation. Students will work individually and in groups to accomplish the goals set forth for the summer. Interns will take field trips to local public gardens and organizations to further their experience in public horticulture and connect with area professionals.
For additional information, please contact Andrew Adams above.
2024 Summer Internship Description and Application Instructions