PERSPECTIVES OF EARTH - TEAM MENTORSHIP
Paid Summer Internship with the McAuliffe Center at Framingham State University - for students enrolled at Framingham, Marlborough, and Milford high schools - focused on sustainability and clean energy.
First you need to register for five Saturday training sessions held in the spring.
Training is free of charge BUT attendance is required to qualify for the internship.
Training is scheduled on: January 31, February 28, March 28, April 11 and April 25 (2026).
Students lead clean energy and sustainability projects, develop important professional skills, make connections in clean energy and sustainability career fields, contribute to real projects, and get paid for their work.
Deadline is Monday, December 15, 2025.
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PETM Summer Internship
During a five-week long program, PETM interns are introduced to a wide range of climate-critical workforce pathways, practice foundational competencies and develop interpersonal confidence. Interns who complete the program earn industry validated credentials which they will be able to use when applying for internship or employment opportunities in sustainability and clean energy.
Professionals from a range of green economy industries participate in the PETM internship activities. Specific expertise is drawn from employers in the project areas directly related to the summer project:
Buildings of the Future - Explore how to design Passive-Design buildings for a greener future
Harnessing the Power of the Sun for our Communities - Explore and promote solar projects in Massachusetts.
Going Deep! Networked Geothermal Projects - Explore the science and design of networked geothermal systems and how it can contribute to clean heating and cooling.
You need to attend at least four of five training sessions during Spring.
Application available April 11, 2026.
SUBJECT-MATTER EXPERTS FOR THE PROGRAM HAVE INCLUDED:
Framingham Sustainability Committee - Sustainability
Framingham State University, Department of the Environment, Society and Sustainability - Sustainability
Geothermal Drillers Association - Renewable Energy
Home Energy Efficiency Team (HEET) - Renewable Energy
Linnean Solutions - Sustainable & Renewable Design
MassEnergize - Community Organizers & Carbon Reduction
Solect Energy - Sustainable & Renewable Energy
WORKFORCE SKILLS STUDENTS DEVELOP IN PETM:
Foundational workforce skills that are transferable to all future employment
Motivation and Initiative
Communication
Teamwork and Collaboration
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Workplace Culture, Policy and Safety
Green economy skills that are transferable to other careers
Collecting and Organizing Information
Computer Technology Literacy
Environmental Literacy
Project Management
Research and Analysis
STUDENT QUOTES ABOUT PETM TRAINING
"I learned from the trainings about the devastating effects of climate change in our community and the world, and how negative changes are happening at an extremely fast rate.""I discovered in the trainings that it’s important to take initiative in group projects and consider others’ feedback on plans before implementing, to help everyone have a say and make sure our actions are the best they can be."
"The trainings motivated me to learn how to handle real life projects in my community, to help us grow as a city and to improve my leadership skills."
"The trainings made me more interested in the real world of science and the chance to talk to FSU professors and other science professionals to help with projects related to renewable energy."
STUDENT QUOTES ABOUT PETM INTERNSHIP
"The internship gave me a perspective of working in a real STEM job within a team context. The internship also helps me make stronger connections between academic and professional work.""The internship is a way to practice the characteristics that make a strong leader - dedication to every task and making sure everyone is getting chances to be heard and to contribute."
"I learned how to work as a team - to do your part and collaborate with others. I also learned how to deal with work flow - to understand the scope of the project, how much time you have, the strengths of your team members, and how much time each task requires."
"This internship is an inspiration for me to start a change in my town to help the environment."
Acknowledgments
This project benefits from the generous support from the Community Foundation for MetroWest (CFMW), Mabel Louise Riley Foundation, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, Massachusetts Executive Office of Education, Mass Save and MassEnergize.