Harmony McMullin

Summer 2024 Internship Profile

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

I am an environmental health and safety intern for PepsiCo, specifically at the Quaker Oats manufacturing plant in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This plant is the world’s largest cereal mill and employs nearly 1,000 people. My primary projects involve conducting a large-scale chemical inventory audit and ensuring that we have the proper safety sheets for each product to ensure that operators know how to safely use and handle these items. Additionally, I am assessing a silver nitrate by-product waste to prevent potential environmental harm to the adjacent Cedar River. Day-to-day tasks include data input and analysis, collaborating with operators and EHS experts on safety initiatives, and leading trainings for new hires.

What’s the best part of your internship?

This internship has provided me with valuable insights into safety and environmental management on a large scale. It feels impactful to contribute to the safety and health of the people and environment of Cedar Rapids. I’ve also gained experience in working and communicating with individuals from diverse backgrounds and beliefs, learning what motivates and engages them. Living independently in a new state has also been a growth experience that will shape my willingness to work in new places in the future.

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

Although I found and secured this internship on my own, the Career Center at Lewis & Clark has been a great resource for resume assistance and interview practice.

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

I aspire to work within the food and agriculture industry, focusing on worker safety and sustainability. This internship has provided an in-depth perspective on what a future job might entail after graduation. Working for a large company has shown me how change occurs on different scales and revealed the vast opportunities for growth available in the workforce. I have been able to gain tangible experience and industry knowledge that I can apply to future careers. Additionally, this internship offers the potential for a return offer upon graduation, which could be a great opportunity.

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

I encourage others to explore different career paths and not feel constrained by their major or goals. College is a time for exploration and discovering likes and dislikes. I often experience imposter syndrome as someone not majoring in environmental health sciences or environmental studies like my fellow PepsiCo interns, but it’s important to remember your worth and value regardless of your field of study. Don’t let labels or diplomas stop you from pursuing something you are passionate about. Sometimes taking a small risk and applying for an unfamiliar job or internship can be incredibly rewarding, and it can be a great reminder that growth happens outside of your comfort zone.

Your Career Starts Here

Summer 2023 Internship Profile

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

I am working as an environmental health and safety (EHS) intern for Stanley Black & Decker in Milwaukie, Oregon. 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.