From EESI to Capitol Hill to the EPA: Former EESI Intern Reflects on Start to Green Career | Article

A little over a year ago, I finished my fall semester policy internship at the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI). Looking back on my experience now, I can honestly say that it was one of the best and most rewarding internships I have ever participated in.

One of my favorite parts of my internship at EESI was the substance of the work. I was given the opportunity to write articles on topics I care about and am interested in, such as marine debris and coastal resilience. And on top of that, my articles were published on EESI’s website and distributed in the Climate Change Solutions newsletter, which made me feel proud that the work I was doing was being seen by people around the country. I was also exposed to the complexities of environmental policy and gained a better understanding of what actually happens on Capitol Hill, which helped open the door for me to later work for the House Natural Resources Committee. In fact, it seems that many aspects of my resume can be traced back to my experience at EESI.

As a current Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) Contractor at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), I work in the Office of Science Advisor, Policy and Engagement. I provide communications support to a federal advisory committee called the Board of Scientific Counselors. During my job interview, I was asked about a fact sheet I wrote at EESI titled Federal Resources for Nature-Based Solutions to Climate Change. My interviewers were impressed with the depth of the fact sheet and its relevance to EPA’s work, and I believe my work at EESI was one of the main reasons I was offered the job.

However, the work is only a small part of what makes EESI a special place. Each member of EESI’s staff is truly unique and cared about my presence in the office. I couldn’t have asked for better supervisors, Anna and Amber, who were always willing to talk about my job search, interests, and ambitions. And some of my favorite memories are at &pizza with the whole EESI team chatting and eating some of the most delicious pizza in D.C.

While there are many reasons to consider an internship at EESI, nothing is more rewarding than working to pave a cleaner and greener path forward. We have a lot of work to do to help our environment, but an internship at EESI is a great place to start!

Author: Savannah Bertrand

Read more about EESI’s spring, summer, and fall internships and get information on how to apply here.