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.
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.
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
Mission-Driven Client
Mentorship
Receive one-on-one mentorship from seasoned project managers, work closely with dedicated NPS staff, and participate in purposeful leadership development workshops.
Compensation
Weekly stipend of $900
Housing (valued over $3,000)
Access to a vehicle for work-related travel
Reimbursement for travel to and from orientation and project site
Per diem during orientation and work-related travel
Who Should Apply?
You would make a great BPI Consultant if you:
Have strong analytical acumen and/or project management skills
Have a curious and entrepreneurial mindset and are comfortable working in high responsibility, high autonomy settings
Are a fantastic communicator with strong presentation skills, able to distill complex ideas for broad accessibility and action
Are respectful and empathic with diverse stakeholders
Are interested and/or experienced in consulting, strategic planning, public policy, and/or environmental management
Desire to contribute to the future of our national parks by improving the parks and programs’ operational and financial health
Additional Requirements
US citizenship or permanent residency
Minimum of two years of full-time (i.e. non-internship) professional work experience
Full-time graduate student at the time of the application
Anticipated date of graduate program completion must be fall of 2025 or later
Availability for entirety of program (May 31 – August 15, 2025)
*please note that accommodations for early orientation dates for your graduate program are limited
Willingness to live in housing as assigned by Park staff, which may or may not be suitable for partners, children, or pets
Commitment and passion to use your professional training to advance the mission and values of the NPS
Program Timeline
12/2/2024
Application Deadline
Early December
Second Round – Video Interview
Mid January
Final Round – Live Case Interview
February
Offers Extended
April
Team and Project Matching
First week of June
Onsite Orientation