I'm in the process of applying for internships, have been for about the last 2 months, and man it is tough. I need one in the natural resources area(soils, forestry, crops, DNR, etc) and have had quite a bit of interest but can't seem to get definite answers from anyone yet, and the pickings are pretty slim too. My problem is I need to have it finalized by the end of the month, and no one seems to know what their doing yet. Anyone else taking an internship this summer? Taken one in the past? Still looking? How can I get them to hurry up without sounding like a jerk and getting passed over?

I interned last summer, it was a requirement for my degree (Occupational Safety & Health).  Luckily my university helped out a lot by bringing companies into the department for interviews and information sessions.

The best advice I can give is to be polite but also assertive and just keep those lines of communication open.  Keep in regular contact with the hiring managers just to show your still interested.

Good luck.

Check to see if your school uses Advisory Councils to help the instructors provide instruction that actually applies to the labor market.  If so, try contacting the AC members and ask them for help.  If they can't offer you a position, they may know someone who can.