Harmony McMullin

What is your internship this summer, and what are your basic duties?

I am working as an Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Intern for Stanley Black & Decker in Milwaukie, OR. I work alongside the EHS Manager to oversee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) compliance, worker and workplace safety, and sustainability related projects at our manufacturing site. I have helped this branch to get their re-certification for Clackamas County Leaders in Sustainability while working on many different safety initiatives as well.

What’s the best part of your internship?

It has been impactful to feel like I am making a difference in the lives of the employees or “Makers” within our industrial manufacturing plant as well as being a resource and friendly face for often underrepresented groups of people.

How has the Sustainability Internship course supported you in the process of finding and securing your internship?

I actually found and applied for this internship on my own rather than through the class. While I think that finding an internship through the class would have been easier and more straightforward, I do enjoy getting to do something a bit more out of the box and unexpected within the realm of sustainability.

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

My internship has provided me the opportunity to network and meet a lot of people within my desired career field. It has also given me opportunities to make evident changes or improvements which will be great to speak to in order to qualify myself for other jobs. Stanley Black & Decker has an SLP where you get to travel and work in rotational positions for 2 years after graduating. This program is something I am interested in and being an intern this summer will make me a better candidate for this program.

How does this internship support your interest in sustainability?

I believe that change must be made on all levels, and in the future I want to support large companies with their sustainability goals in order to make a large scale change. Working at this plant in provided me with a better understanding of the trickle down effect which happens at a global company. This internship will help me to consider and better fit the needs of all people in the process, including those that don’t agree with change.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your experience?

I have really appreciated the skills I have learned in the class and the connections I have made with other student passionate about the same things as me.