UT Students to Gain National Park Experience Through New Partnership
University of Tennessee students will gain hands-on national park experience through internships and research at three East Tennessee properties.
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE — University of Tennessee students interested in national park careers will gain hands-on experience through an expanded collaboration with the National Park Service beginning in upcoming semesters.
The partnership provides students with practical work opportunities through internships, research projects, and volunteer positions at three national properties in East Tennessee. Students will assist with research and visitor interaction at Obed Wild and Scenic River, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, and Manhattan Project National Historical Park.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is not included in the collaboration.
Academic Program Integration
The experiences will be integrated into the Outdoor Recreation Park Management concentration, which operates within the UT School of Natural Resources under the Forestry major. Associate Professor Ryan Sharp and Niki Nicholas, park superintendent for Obed and Big South Fork, announced the collaboration on April 8 in the Historic Rugby community.
Sharp emphasized that the program extends beyond training future National Park Service rangers. “The Outdoor Recreation Park Management concentration is not just for learning to be a National Park Service ranger but for learning skills relevant to many careers at conservation or recreational areas, including rafting companies, national forests and nonprofits,” Sharp said.
Addressing Workforce Needs
Nicholas described the initiative as focused on “creating the next generation of park managers, forest managers and outdoor recreation stewards generally.” She noted that the National Park Service could recruit students from the program to fill job openings.
Sharp explained that many students express interest in working for national parks or conducting research in partnership with them but lack awareness of available opportunities. The collaboration aims to bridge this gap by providing direct exposure to park operations and career possibilities.
The program will give students practical experience in park management operations while helping the National Park Service address staffing needs across its Tennessee properties. Students will work alongside park professionals in various capacities, from conducting scientific research to engaging with park visitors.
