Advice for University Students Seeking a Hands-On Internship in Sustainable Development & Leadership

Discover an Internship Where You Make a Real Difference at the Grassroots Level

Why Intern in Sustainable Development?

Sustainability is no longer just a trend — it’s an essential mindset in shaping the future of our environment, societies, and economies. As a university student focused on sustainable development, you probably want more than a corporate office job with buzzwords like “green” and “impact.” You want real change, not just a branded label.

That’s why choosing an internship where you can engage at the grassroots level is so important. When you see your work directly benefit people and communities, you gain clarity on how you’ll apply your education in a meaningful way.

The Problem with Many “Sustainability” Roles

Let’s be honest: many roles labelled “sustainability” sit in high-level corporate environments, and in some cases may amount to little more than green-washing. The mission you pursued in your studies can drift when sustainability becomes a slogan rather than a practice.

But what if you could test your values, your learning and your intentions in a setting where change is tangible and you can see your impact? An experiential, hands-on internship can do exactly that.

Use Your Education — Don’t Let It Sit on the Shelf

You’ve learned theories in class about renewable energy, circular economies, waste reduction, social equity, community development and more. Before committing to a long-term path, why not apply your knowledge in a real-world rural community setting where the systems are still emerging? Where your contribution actually counts?

Why Choose a Grassroots Internship Setting?

Sustainable development touches everything: energy, waste, ecosystems, food systems, agriculture, textiles, marketing, community health, social justice. In grassroots contexts, you often engage with multiple sectors at once — giving you a truly holistic, interdisciplinary experience.

When you immerse yourself in a village community, you see how small enterprises, local culture, environment and education intersect. This kind of exposure shapes you as a future leader with a systems-thinking mindset.

Why the Red Road Foundation is a Great Opportunity

If you’re looking for an internship where you can use your education at the grassroots level and see the impact of your efforts, consider the Red Road Foundation in rural Cambodia:

• The Red Road Foundation is a sustainable-development project providing free education to countryside students while also building social-enterprises and environment-focused initiatives. The Red Road Foundation

• Interns engage in hands-on roles such as research, strategy implementation, social-impact measurement, intercultural communication, marketing, small-business and social-enterprise development, permaculture, education and leadership. The Red Road Foundation+1

• Because the setting is rural Cambodia, you will witness difference-making in a community that is still shaping its future — your work doesn’t get lost inside rigid systems. Go Overseas+1

What Will You Do as an Intern?

Your internship will be customized to your passions, skills and education. Examples of tasks:

• Conduct research and evaluations of programme effectiveness — how are social-enterprises doing, how is the ecological footprint being reduced?

• Develop and implement new strategies for community or environmental initiatives.

• Present findings and data in ways that influence future direction.

• Work with intercultural teams: local villagers, Cambodian staff, international interns — focusing on sustainable solutions together.

• Participate in permaculture, organic farming, eco-building and education—understanding how sustainable business, ecology and community development interlink.

Why This Experience Boosts Your Future Success

During your time at the Red Road Foundation you will:

• Gain hands-on experiential learning, testing strategies you’ve learned in school in a real-world environment.

• Deepen your self-awareness, understand how you perform in a team, what you’re good at, and what you can improve.

• Build confidence by making tangible impact at a grassroots level — something few internships can offer.

• Develop a clearer sense of which path you want to follow after university: corporate sustainability, social enterprise, non-profit, entrepreneurship, or community-development work.

Take Action: Jump In & Make It Happen

If you’re serious about taking action and making an impact, reach out to the Red Road Foundation now. Your next step: put your education into use in a context where your contribution matters.

This isn’t just another line on your resume. It’s an invitation to transform, lead and learn.

We look forward to hearing from you and welcoming you to a life-enriching adventure that aligns your values with action. Check the Interships tab up top to find the perfect on for you!