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August 28, 2023
Student Interns Get ‘Green’ Job Experience
This summer, L&C students gained hands-on work experience through paid internships in the green sector, thanks to L&C’s Career Center and the Bates Center Sustainability Internship course. Check out the experiences of some of these students!
The Lewis & Clark campus from above the Estate Gardens.
Lena Essak (she/her)
Class Year: 2024 Major: Economics Minor: Data Science Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
What three words would you use to describe L&C?
Engaged, Curious, Enthusiastic
What is your internship this summer, and what are your basic duties?
My internship is in the Community Relations Department at EDP Renewables North America. The main responsibility of our office is to help strengthen the relationship with the landowners and communities of our wind and solar projects around North America. We also support other departments with various projects and questions, usually related to community engagement or external-facing communication.
What’s the best part of your internship?
The best part of my internship is meeting so many incredible people involved with the company and learning about the renewable energy industry as a whole.
How has the Sustainability Internship course supported you in the process of finding and securing your internship?
The Sustainability Internship course was crucial in securing this opportunity. I met with Amy Dvorak [senior director of sustainability and course instructor] before joining the course and then stayed in close contact with her throughout the interview process. She was very supportive in helping me choose the position that was the best fit and advocated for me to the employers I was most interested in working with.
Class Year: 2025 Major: Sociology and Anthropology Minor: Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation Hometown: Roseville, Minnesota
What three words would you use to describe L&C?
Eclectic, Cozy, Beautiful
What is your internship this summer, and what are your basic duties?
I am interning for Wonderfil, a start-up that specializes in sustainable refilling stations for liquid and cream products. Wonderfil was cofounded by Amelia Eichel BA ’20 and her childhood best friend. The Wonderfil stations offer a more environmentally friendly way to refill everyday products. I am on a team with three other students, and our roles as web presence interns include brainstorming and crafting posts for Instagram and TikTok, as well as website posts.
What’s the best part of your internship?
The best part is getting to collaborate with talented and intelligent people. Also, feeling like I am contributing to something that is important in terms of sustainability is really rewarding and gratifying.
How has the Sustainability Internship course supported you in the process of finding and securing your internship?
Amy Dvorak [senior sustainability director and course instructor] was so helpful in supporting each student and making sure we were all well-suited to an internship. She helped us prepare for every step of the process, including the applications, interviews, and internship portion.
Class Year: 2024 Major: Sociology and Anthropology Hometown: Veles, Macedonia
What three words would you use to describe L&C?
Green, Diverse, Fruitful
What is your internship this summer, and what are your basic duties?
This summer, I’m the social media marketing intern for the Palo Alto-based nonprofit Acterra. In this role, I have been creating engaging graphics to celebrate various eco-holidays throughout the year, and I updated the organization’s YouTube channel. I am also currently working on creating a video that features success stories of locals who have transitioned to electric vehicles (EVs) through Acterra’s GoEV program.
What’s the best part of your internship?
The best part of my internship has been getting familiar with all the programs Acterra offers, such as the various beneficial electrification, food and climate change, and youth education programs–and, of course, the amazing people behind them!
How has the Sustainability Internship course supported you in the process of finding and securing your internship?
The Sustainability Internship course was an indelible part of the onboarding process at Acterra. Amy Dvorak [senior sustainability director and course instructor] has been an amazing mentor. She is very engaging during our weekly classes, and I especially appreciated that she included so many practical presentations from various speakers during our intensive week!
Class Year: 2024 Major: Economics Minor: Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation Hometown: Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
What three words would you use to describe Lewis & Clark?
Learning, Growth, Fun
What is your internship this summer, and what are your basic duties?
My internship is working with the Co-Director Paulomi Bhattacharyya on grant writing. My main duties include researching new grant opportunities, organizing the findings in Google spreadsheets, and writing grant proposals.
What’s the best part of your internship?
The best part about my internship is writing grant proposals, learning about each member of the organization, and making good connections.
How has the Sustainability Internship course supported you in the process of finding and securing your internship?
The class helped me by providing great internship options, giving me interview and resume advice, and then getting to talk to my professors about priorities and going over what would be best for me.
Class Year: 2025 Major: Environmental Studies Minor: French Studies Hometown: Topanga, California
What three words would you use to describe L&C?
Curious, Warm, Motivating
What is your internship this summer, and what are your basic duties?
I am interning with Wonderfil, a public benefit corporation (PBC), along with two other L&C students as a web presence intern. In this position, I collaborate with the cofounder and interns to create digital content for the company website and social media.
What’s the best part of your internship?
The flexibility of it being remote means that I can fit the internship work into my day, rather than molding my day to the work. I absolutely appreciate that we work directly with the cofounder of the company; it really personifies Wonderfil’s mission and also creates an open environment for feedback.
How has the Sustainability Internship course supported you in the process of finding and securing your internship?
Upon signing up for and getting accepted into this course, I was able to pick from a list of internships that Amy Dvorak [senior sustainability director and course instructor] compiled for us. My preference was taken into account when my applications were sent out, and I ended up landing my first pick.
