Maggie Rees ’13

Major(s): Environmental Studies
Internship Site: Chesapeake Bay Foundation - Annapolis, MD

The Internship:   
I discovered the internship through the Career Center’s  weekly internship opportunity emails.  The link led me to DickinsonConnect where I saw a job description, details about the organization, and further information.  I decided to apply and received a call within a few days.  I then had a phone interview where I discussed my major, the classes I’ve taken, and most importantly, my knowledge of Marcellus Shale. 

My responsibilities this summer included everything from assisting with event planning, to administrative work, to writing reports.  The majority of my work this summer consisted of analyzing programs CBF currently has in place, and making recommendations for improvements.  I then implemented the recommendations I made to increase productivity, participation, and outreach.  One of the programs I worked on is CBF’s Speakers Bureau.  This involved CBF volunteers speaking around the watershed to educate different groups and organizations on Bay issues.   

The Challenges:   
My biggest challenge this summer was balancing my projects with the other volunteer work I was expected to do.  Almost every week I was out of the office at least once volunteering at the Oyster Restoration Center, setting up for events, or helping out with organizational work.  It was a great experience to have worked with other departments and other sectors of the organization, but at the same time it was tough to balance that with the work my supervisor expected me to have completed by the end of the summer.  To overcome this, I met with my supervisor to find out her expectations and together we came up with a more realistic work plan.  I was still able to complete the work I had hoped and I gained the experience I needed in the process.  I learned that it is important to talk with your supervisor about doubts, expectations, and realistic deadlines. 

The Future:  
This internship has definitely allowed me to think seriously about my career goals.  It has showed me the workplace environment, culture, and path that I am looking for in a career.  I have made some very valuable contacts this summer that will be helpful in the hiring process that is to come after graduation.  Although I have found a workplace that I am happy and comfortable in, I still am unsure of where I fit in to the mix.  My senior year will certainly be dominated by research and thoughts about what type of job I am looking for, be it communications, education, policy, etc.  It is an exciting process, but I still need to find a more specific niche in the large field of environmental studies.

Tips from Maggie: 
NETWORK!  Talking with family members, friends, and acquaintances will be very helpful in the internship search.  Definitely read emails from the Career Center and use the resources they provide for us.  DickinsonConnect, the weekly internship announcements, and the people in the Career Center are all excellent resources.  Apply to as many internships as you can that interest you. 

I personally think that internships are the most important part of the job search, completing applications, and the hiring process.  Gaining experience and finding the pros and cons of a job are super important.  Not only are internships good for your résumé and future employment, but they help you decide what you want out of your career.



*To find out more about how to get an internship, make an appointment with a career counselor. Just call the Career Center at 717-245-1740 or stop by Biddle House.