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• Opportunities for Native Youth

Opportunities for Native Youth

Safeguarding Natural Heritage

Every year since 2007, APHIS has collaborated with Tribal colleges and universities to deliver Safeguarding Natural Heritage (SNH), a 2-week summer outreach program that helps students ages 14-17 explore careers in plant and animal science, wildlife management, and agribusiness.  Students participate in hands-on labs, workshops, discussion groups, field trips, and character- and team-building activities led by Tribal elders, practitioners, and professionals, university professors, and U.S. Government scientists, while living on a college campus.  Learn more

AgDiscovery

APHIS partners with universities and colleges to help teenagers learn about careers in animal and plant science, wildlife management, and agribusiness.  The annual 2-4 week program allows student to live on a college campus and experience hands-on labs, workshops, and field trips.  Learn more

William F. Helms Internship Program

Interested in a career in agriculture, botany, plant pathology, entomology, or other biological sciences?  APHIS’ Plant Protection and Quarantine program is currently accepting applications for the William F. Helms Internship Program. This program provides university and college-level students with the opportunity to plan and coordinate pest surveys, participate in Federal regulatory functions, and assist with PPQ’s domestic programs and activities.  Learn more

Pathways Programs

USDA offers different pathway opportunities—including tuition assistance—for students and recent graduates to work in the agricultural, science, technology, math, environmental, management, business and many other fields.  Several opportunities with APHIS are available through this program.  Learn more at Pathways Programs

Animal Care

APHIS’ Animal Care (AC) program provides externships to students to gain unpaid work experience from 1-4 weeks in the fall, spring, and summer.  Opportunities may be available throughout the United States, depending on a student’s area of interest and the availability of AC personnel.   View the AC externship brochure for more details and learn how to apply.

VS National Recruitment Program

APHIS’ Veterinary Services (VS) Executive Team is committed to recruitment and outreach activities that target a diverse and highly qualified pool of applicants. The VS National Recruitment Program provides consulting and support services to management, recruiters, civil rights committees, and applicants on all aspects of recruitment, hiring, and outreach. Additionally, VS is actively involved in workforce and succession planning, and furthering diversity has been the focus of many VS initiatives. Learn more at VS National Recruitment Program

Native American-Serving Institutions Internship Program

Shaping the Future of Agriculture by Investing in Students.  Are you a college student interested in animal and plant health? Would you like to learn about the many career paths open in agriculture and natural resources? We have a unique opportunity for you.

Navajo Technical University's - Veterinary Technology Program Partnership

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) partners with Navajo Technical University’s (NTU) Veterinary Technology Program (VTP) in Crownpoint New Mexico. The partnership was created to help NTU advance student career opportunities in Veterinary Medicine.  Learn More