Appalachia & Southern U.S.
Map your rural career route to Appalachia & Southern U.S., known for abundant natural resources, southern hospitality, and rich traditions. The region offers a variety of career opportunities and is particularly strong in the energy, STEM, and consumer goods industries.
Visit Top Appalachia &
Southern US Employers
Join us on Career Treks to visit top employers across Appalachia and the South including to destinations such as Atlanta, GA and Raleigh, NC.
Job Shadowing Near Home
Experience a "Day in the Life" of your dream job near home by participating in the Job Shadow Program in locations like Miami, FL and Charlotte, NC!
Rural Internship Matching Program
Join our Rural Internship Matching Program and our Rural Career Advising Team will reach out directly to employers that fit your interests so you can gain professional experience in your hometown!
Rural Student Spotlight
Willow Rutter, AB'27
Hometown: Townsend, Tennessee | Major: Public Policy & Studies on the Environment, Geography, and Urbanization
Summer 2024 | Summer 2025 | Summer 2026 |
|---|---|---|
Company: Buzzards Bay Coalition Title: Land Steward Location: New Bedford, MA | Company: Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont; University of Chicago Institute of Politics Title: IOP Summer 2025 Hometown Internship Location: Townsend, TN | Company: Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont Title: Executive Intern Location: Townsend, TN |
Employer Partners
Company | Location | Industry |
Aflac | Columbus, GA | Finance |
Biome Consulting Group | Pensacola, FL | Consulting |
CenturyLink | Monroe, LA | Telecommunications |
Designs for Health | Palm Coast, FL | Consumer Goods |
HG Energy | Parkersburg, WV | Energy |
Lowes | Mooresville, NC | Consumer Goods |
McCray Drilling | Bartlett, KY | Engineering |
NextEra Energy | Juno Beach, FL | Energy |
Oak Ridge National Laboratory | Oak Ridge, TN | STEM |
ProMach | Covington, KY | Manufacturing |
Ring Container Technologies | Oakland, TN | Manufacturing |
Sonoco | Hartsville, SC | Transportation |
Walmart | Bentonville, AR | Consumer Goods |
Whataburger | Raleigh, NC | Food & Beverage |