National Parks
Business Plan Internship

The Business Plan Internship (BPI) is a prestigious summer program for top graduate students studying business, public policy, environmental management, and other related fields. Over the course of eleven weeks, pairs of Fellows work in parks and regional offices across the country, leading strategic projects that impact the long-term health of vital American resources.

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Sponsored by the National Park Service’s Business Management Group, this rigorous and highly selective program runs from June through August, beginning with a week-long NPS orientation. At orientation, you’ll get to know the rest of the cohort, immerse yourself in NPS culture and operations, and explore a National Park (past training sites have included Grand Canyon National Park, Acadia National Park, Olympic National Park, and Shenandoah National Park). You’ll also have the opportunity to work with your park/project liaison and meet NPS leadership to ensure that you’re prepared for success before traveling to your project site.

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Value

Cross-Sector Experience

Bring management and policy tools, analyses, and best practices to bear on the financial and operational challenges of the National Park Service system.

High-Profile Projects

BPI projects address a park or program’s most pressing business or operational challenges. In addition to informing strategic decision-making for NPS leadership, these projects are often incubators for initiatives that are implemented regionally or agency-wide.

Mission-Driven Client

Apply your skills and experience to advance the mission of the National Park Service: to “preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.”

Mentorship

Receive one-on-one mentorship from seasoned project managers, work closely with dedicated NPS staff, and participate in purposeful leadership development workshops.

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Compensation

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Weekly stipend of $900

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Housing (valued over $3,000)

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Access to a vehicle for work-related travel

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Reimbursement for travel to and from orientation and project site

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Per diem during orientation and work-related travel

Who Should Apply?

You would make a great BPI Consultant if you:

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Have strong analytical acumen and/or project management skills

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Have a curious and entrepreneurial mindset and are comfortable working in high responsibility, high autonomy settings

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Are a fantastic communicator with strong presentation skills, able to distill complex ideas for broad accessibility and action

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Are respectful and empathic with diverse stakeholders

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Are interested and/or experienced in consulting, strategic planning, public policy, and/or environmental management

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Desire to contribute to the future of our national parks by improving the parks and programs’ operational and financial health

Additional Requirements

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US citizenship or permanent residency

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Minimum of two years of full-time (i.e. non-internship) professional work experience

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Full-time graduate student at the time of the application

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Anticipated date of graduate program completion must be fall of 2025 or later

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Availability for entirety of program (May 31 – August 15, 2025)

*please note that accommodations for early orientation dates for your graduate program are limited

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Willingness to live in housing as assigned by Park staff, which may or may not be suitable for partners, children, or pets

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Commitment and passion to use your professional training to advance the mission and values of the NPS

Program Timeline

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12/2/2024

Application Deadline

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Early December

Second Round – Video Interview

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Mid January

Final Round – Live Case Interview

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February

Offers Extended

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April

Team and Project Matching

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First week of June

Onsite Orientation

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“It’s an incredible and unparalleled opportunity for students who want to apply really strategic insights and skills to public sector work. I think this is a program that is fast paced, but really lets you walk away saying, “I’ve delivered a tool that can be implemented and have real impact.” I would recommend it wholeheartedly for anyone who is interested in serving a really incredible mission”

 

-2020 BPI Consultant