From One Environmental Organization to Another | Article

When I started at the Environmental and Energy Study Institute in the summer of 2019 as a Communications and Policy Intern, I had no idea what to expect from the work, the city, or the people I would meet. Fortunately, my time with EESI turned out to be an incredibly positive, formative experience.

Despite being an environmental studies major in college, before starting my internship with EESI, I did not have a lot of experience in the clean energy sector or in policy specifically. I knew I was interested in the environment but did not know what path I wanted to take. My time at EESI opened my eyes to the world of nonpartisan, science-based policy work. I learned so much about collaborating with individuals with varying perspectives and beliefs in order to make progress on controversial environmental issues. Even though I wasn’t sure the energy sector was where I wanted to end up in the future, I realized that working in a small, nonprofit that brings the worlds of science and policy together was a niche I wanted to continue to explore.

Not only did my time at EESI give me insight into a potential future career, I also learned I loved D.C. and the connections I made there. Being in the city was exciting after going to college and high school in small towns. My ability to spend the weekends in museums or exploring downtown made my time in D.C. even better. And, I had friends from my internship to explore with, too; being part of a cohort of interns was another positive aspect of my time at EESI. In addition, EESI's staff was phenomenal. They had so much advice for all of us and were fantastic mentors when it came to work and life. I’m still in touch with both the other interns and EESI staff two years later.

All of those positive experiences from my time at EESI—the work itself, the people I met, and the city—have led me back to D.C. I currently work at the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) as a Research Associate, and I credit my time at EESI for helping me get to where I am today. My policy and communications work experience, familiarity working at a nonpartisan organization, the connections I made, and my desire to be back in D.C. all helped me to end up at ELI.

The skills and knowledge I gained while at EESI are still applicable, too. The work I did on nature-based solutions at EESI has helped inform research I’ve done at ELI. My experience helping with briefings and interviewing speakers has helped me to assist with hosting and organizing various webinars and events. I helped out with social media both at EESI and for specific projects at ELI. The list goes on. Essentially, my internship at EESI gave me the real-life skills I needed to be able to excel after graduating from college.

For giving me the work experience I needed and for connecting me to amazing people, I am so glad I spent my summer with EESI. Thank you to the EESI staff; I am incredibly grateful for all of the support, advice, and friendship you have given me both while I was at EESI and since I have left. I couldn’t ask for better connections, and I look forward to seeing all of your and EESI’s accomplishments into the future.

Author: Heather Luedke