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Global Affairs Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Internship

Global Affairs Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Internship

In September 2015, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted by all UN Member States. Central to the Agenda is the set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which define a plan of action for people, planet, and prosperity to be undertaken by all countries.

UC Davis is engaged in research, teaching, service and operations that contribute to the SDGs and is committed to increasing its contributions to SDGs. UC Davis is also committed to creating global learning opportunities for students on campus, domestically, and internationally.

The Global Affairs SDG Internship provides an opportunity for UC Davis undergraduate students to actively contribute to campus engagement on this global agenda. SDG Interns gain substantive understanding of the SDGs, and develop professional skills such as organizational strategy, project design and management, partnership development, outreach and analytical skills. The internship is open to students in all majors. 

To learn more about our efforts, see UC Davis's engagement with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

About the Internship

The internship’s focus areas and projects change each quarter, depending on Global Affairs’ priorities and new initiatives. Interns are expected to participate in a weekly intern meeting and to work in collaboration with other interns on projects.

Internship Projects May Include:

  • Developing and implementing strategies to involve students across campus in the SDGs. Liaising with students/groups to build awareness and involvement on SDGs on campus.
  • Collecting information on campus, local, regional, and international efforts that contribute to the SDGs. This may involve desk research, categorizing and organizing information, and outreach to contacts in other offices or organizations.
  • Identifying and cataloging UC Davis activities, supporting the gathering of case studies that demonstrate the impact of SDG work, and assisting with developing metrics and narrative on UC Davis efforts.
  • Supporting Global Affairs in communicating with campus and local communities about SDG work and disseminating opportunities related to one or more SDGs.
  • Assisting with the preparation and the logistics of organizing programs, events, and meetings on SDGs.
  • Collecting good practices from other universities and institutions about organizing SDG efforts.
  • Attending meetings, in person events, and webinars and taking notes.

 

  • In fall quarter 2025, the internship will also include opportunities to work with the City of Sacramento on Zero Hunger, Sustainable Cities/Extreme Heat Mitigation topics.

Internship Duration/Credit

  • The internship is offered for academic credit (2 credits/6-8 hours/week) for upper division students.
  • Eligible for transcript notation
  • This is a hybrid internship. Most of the internship hours are completed virtually, with some in-person meetings and activities.
  • The internship may be extended beyond one quarter on a case-by-case basis, based on Global Affairs needs and the student interests.

Qualifications

  • Current UC Davis upper division undergraduate student.
  • Demonstrated interest in the 2030 Agenda and one or more SDGs.
  • Strong research, writing, organization and communication skills.
  • Experience with data collection and analysis, including with Excel, is preferred.
  • Passion for the SDGs and desire to contribute to this global agenda.

Application Process

Please submit the following to Jolynn Shoemaker, Senior Director of Global Engagements, at jmshoemaker@ucdavis.edu:

  • One-page cover letter explaining your interest in the SDGs and this internship and highlighting any relevant professional development and volunteer experience
  • Resume/CV

An interview may be conducted with the final candidates.

Deadlines for 2025-26 Academic Year:

  • Fall Quarter Internship Application Due: September 12, 2025
  • Winter Quarter Internship Application Due: December 19, 2025
  • Spring Quarter Internship Application Due: March 20, 2026

Current Projects

Coming soon!

Past Projects

  • City of Sacramento Voluntary Local Review (VLR)
  • Research and Editing the Voluntary Local Review on the SDGs for Sacramento
    Conducted desk research and assisted with proofreading text for the finalization of the first VLR for Sacramento.

    Presentation of the Voluntary Local Review on the SDGs for Sacramento to the City of Sacramento Youth Commission
    Presented the VLR to the Sacramento Youth Commission.

    Food Literacy Center Feature
    Conducted site visits and interviews at the Food Literacy Center, a non-profit organization is partnering with the City of Sacramento to promote healthy foods in low-income neighborhoods.

    Best Heat Mitigation Strategies for Sacramento, CA
    Researched Voluntary Local Reviews on the SDGs from cities around the world to identify approaches to support implementation of the Sacramento Climate Action & Adaptation Plan and long-range planning for extreme heat.
  • UC Davis Student Guide to the SDGs
  • Conceptualized, developed and completed the Student Guide to the SDGs, including desk research, survey design and extensive outreach on campus.