Mia Babasyan

Can you tell us what you’re doing this summer? What are your basic duties as an intern?

This summer, I have been working as a development intern at the environmental nonprofit Acterra. My role has been focused on organizing a community recognition event to reconnect volunteers, ambassadors, and other members of the organization. Project management, community outreach, and developing my technical skills have been a major part of my daily work life.

How has Lewis & Clark supported you in the process of finding, securing, and/or funding your internship?

The Summer Sustainability Internship course not only connected me with a paid internship, but supported my process through it. Instructors Meredith Goddard and Amy Dvorak went above and beyond to provide us with the resources and skills we needed to utilize our internships. Faculty at L&C want to help students grow and succeed, and that is where I have felt most supported.

How do you see this internship leading to a career in your chosen field and aiding in your overall career development?

I hope to combine my two passions of environmental work and interior design for my future career. My work as the development intern allowed me to bring the different skills from those passions and create an event that is sustainable, inclusive and fun!

How does this internship support your interest in sustainability?

Working alongside professionals in the environmental sector has been influential in growing my interest. The more experience and exposure I have, the more passion and insight I gain for my future career.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about your experience thus far?

The internships I have participated in have added real-world experience to many of the topics and issues we learn about in our classes. Any internship program offered at L&C is beneficial for students to potentially see how their education may align to a potential career.