Current student, Megan Mathieu, shared the following about being a Summer Intern at Charles River Watershed Association …
What did you do as an intern at this organization?
As the community outreach intern at CRWA I produced a lot of public facing resources related to their climate resilience projects with a special focus on their flood modeling. I created a GIS storymap explaining model storms, flooding events and priority sites for mitigation. I also designed graphics for the storymap, social media, and the strategic plan. Additionally, I led educational events and tabled for CRWA for a wide audience: from elementary school students, to framers market go-ers and residents of a low-income elderly housing complex. I also had the opportunity to support other projects including water sampling and culvert assessment!
How did you find this internship?
The CRWA website (which I learned about through my RA and Handshake)
What did you enjoy most about your internship?
I absolutely loved how intersectional the organization is and how CRWA has their toes in everything from hydrology and ecology, to advocacy and law. Working there gave me a better sense of practical jobs that exist within an environmental non-profit. I also enjoyed how many learning opportunities (and explore the watershed opportunities) I was given that were more for my benefit than anything! For example I was able to get out on the water to collect water samples from a speed boat, and learned how to preform culvert assessment! My supervisor seemed really invested in creating meaningful opportunities for me.
What did you find challenging?
I sometimes found it challenging having a hybrid supervisor because I like in person relationships. While I did go into the office more often as the summer progressed, that came out the challenge of learning that I don’t do the best in a work-from home setting.
What advice would you offer to someone who wants to make the most of an internship like yours?
CRWA will let interns explore their passions and interests if you come to them with an idea so I wish that I had taken more initiative to come up with a project. Maybe that could have led to a senior thesis? Definitely something I wish I had considered earlier. I also think it is important to connect with people in the office early on and as much as possible don’t be afraid to set up meetings with them and ask questions!
