Revisiting Bethesda Green interns, #6 and #7

As students go back to school to start their spring semester, finding a summer internship is definitely on their to-do list, and now is the time when employers are looking for talented students to fill their organizational needs. So each year Bethesda Green hosts Fields of Green Internship Fair to connect highly qualified students who are looking for opportunities in the environmental sector with DC metro area’s green employers. Getting ready for the event this year, we decided to share a series of profiles (wrapped up with this edition) about some of the amazing interns who have worked with us recently.

Meet Natalia Salazar. Natalia graduated from Mount Holyoke College in May 2013 with a degree in Environmental Studies and a concentration in Ecosystem Science. Since September 2013, she has been interning at Bethesda Green and Calleva Farm, focusing on sustainable agriculture. She is passionate about building a local, ethical, and sustainable food system.

How did you hear about Bethesda Green? After the end of my last semester in college, I started searching online for green internships in Bethesda. The first link that came up was Bethesda Green’s list of internships from the 2013 Fields of Green Internship Fair. Thanks to this list, I found out about Bethesda Green and Calleva, and I am enjoying wonderful opportunities at both places.

The best thing about interning at Bethesda Green is the chance to work on a project of my interest and receive all the support and resources I need to complete my project. I especially love the level of involvement I’m granted in the Greening Restaurants program and the exposure to the local sustainability world. Thanks to my internship at BG, I have learned  a great deal about restaurants serving delicious, local, seasonal food in downtown Bethesda that I previously had not know about.

What do you do at Bethesda Green? Since I started my internship at Bethesda Green, I’ve been immersing myself in the topic of sustainable agriculture. I’m helping to bring a local food day in downtown Bethesda and creating a webpage within the BG site to educate the public about sustainable agriculture, our county’s agricultural reserve, and sources for local food.

I am most passionate about environmental stewardship, health, animal welfare, and social justice. I also love the outdoors, traveling, dancing, cooking, and eating.

One thing I do to protect the environment is drive a small, fuel-efficient car. My goal, however, is to drive an electric car powered by clean energy sources.

Future goals/plans? This fall I hope to enroll in the University of Maryland’s Environmental Science and Technology M.S. program. I would like to do research and gain expertise on sustainable agriculture and soil.

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Maddy Go is currently a senior at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, interning at Bethesda Green for the fall and spring semesters.

How did you hear about Bethesda Green? I was looking for an internship in the environmental field as part of my school’s internship program, and a quick Google search brought me to Bethesda Green’s website. After meeting with Bethesda Green staff, I started interning months later in the fall.

The best thing about interning at BG…is the extremely welcoming and encouraging Bethesda Green staff. BG is a great environment to learn and grow, and that’s made possible entirely by them.

What do you do at Bethesda Green? Anything that’s needed, including working on the database, the BG website, media outreach, and my own personal project. With the help of Bethesda Green, I’ve recently been able to begin to renovate my school’s greenhouse, which has been a fantastic experience for me.

I am most passionate about finding innovative ways to do things and exploring new ideas, especially in the environmental field.

One thing you do to protect the environment? Whenever I go out I try to carpool, take public transportation, or walk/bike.

Future goals/plans? This year I’m going to head to college and begin my undergraduate studies in environmental science. However, things are still uncertain down the road. Hopefully I’ll be able to take advantage of study-abroad opportunities, or try World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) or the Peace Corps.

 

Revisiting Bethesda Green interns, #5

As students go back to school to start their spring semester, finding a summer internship is definitely on their to-do list, and now is the time when employers are looking for talented students to fill their organizational needs. So each year Bethesda Green hosts Fields of Green Internship Fair to connect highly qualified students who are looking for opportunities in the environmental sector with DC metro area’s green employers. Getting ready for the event this year, we decided to share a series of profiles about some of the amazing interns who have worked with us recently.

Meet Melanie Herrera. She is a senior at Paint Branch High School, participating in the Honors Executive Leadership Program, an honors career and leadership development program.

How did you hear about Bethesda Green? I heard of Bethesda Green through my program supervisor, Kim Jones. She helped me connect with Bethesda Green since I am interested in studying environmental science in college.

The best thing about interning at Bethesda Green is interacting with various green businesses that work closely with Bethesda Green and learning new ways to go green.

I am most passionate about my family because they support and motivate me in everything I do.

One thing you do to protect the environment? I participate in my school’s environmental club where we educate others about the environment and promote recycling and sustainability.

Future goals/plans?  I hope to have a career in the field of environmental science. I am also looking forward to graduating this year and traveling to Portland, Oregon, to visit my family.

 

Revisiting Bethesda Green interns, #4

As students go back to school to start their spring semester, finding a summer internship is definitely on their to-do list, and now is the time when employers are looking for talented students to fill their organizational needs. So each year Bethesda Green hosts Fields of Green Internship Fair to connect highly qualified students who are looking for opportunities in the environmental sector with DC metro area’s green employers. Getting ready for the event this year, we decided to share a series of profiles about some of the amazing interns who have worked with us recently.

Meet Susanna Parker. She is the Social Media and Production Manager for Mark Leisher Productions, a visual communications company based in Bethesda. She earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental Management at the University of Maryland.

How did you hear about Bethesda Green? I heard of Bethesda Green through a family friend, Cheryl Newman. Cheryl worked for Honest Tea and had been involved with Bethesda Green for several years. She introduced me to BG Program Manager Sharon D’Emidio and I joined Bethesda Green as an intern.

The best thing about interning at Bethesda Green was the experience and connections that I gained. I was never assigned menial tasks, but given important projects that were interesting to work on and were a great addition to my resume.

What have you been up to since your internship at Bethesda Green?  As an intern with BG, I regularly wrote for the Bethesda Green blog. I came to the attention of Mark Leisher, whose production company is in the BG Incubator. He and his partner asked me to come on part-time as a content writer. I gradually transitioned to full-time and just celebrated my one-year anniversary as an employee of Mark Leisher Productions.

I am most passionate about educating people on current issues. Whether that’s watershed protection, the Keystone XL pipeline, or colony collapse disorder, people need to know how humans impact the environment around them, and what they can do to help.

One thing you do to protect the environment? I compost with worms in our apartment. It took some experimentation, and I had to fight off fruit flies for a while, but my husband and I have drastically reduced our food waste. Plus, we have to take out the trash far less!

Future goals/plans? I’m looking forward to continuing in my role at Mark Leisher Productions and learning more about video production. My husband and I are about to start house-hunting and hope to purchase a home by mid-June. We’re also planning a few vacations, including to Florida, North Carolina, and (hopefully) Mexico.

 

Revisiting Bethesda Green interns, #3

As students go back to school to start their spring semester, finding a summer internship is definitely on their to-do list, and now is the time when employers are looking for talented students to fill their organizational needs. So each year Bethesda Green hosts Fields of Green Internship Fair to connect highly qualified students who are looking for opportunities in the environmental sector with DC metro area’s green employers. Getting ready for the event this year, we decided to share a series of profiles about some of the amazing interns who have worked with us recently.

Meet Jon Akpapunam. He is a recent graduate in Environmental Studies and Economics at Denison University and aims to contribute to the development of products and business strategies that are both meaningful and sustainable. He is a basketball player, music lover, and french fry eater.

How did you hear about Bethesda Green? Honestly, I came across Bethesda Green by chance during my job search.

The best thing about interning at Bethesda Green are the people and the opportunities to learn and contribute to awesome sustainability efforts in the community.

What have you been up to since your internship at Bethesda Green? After my internship at BG, I interned for both Clean Currents and the City Parks Alliance. Recently, I have accepted another internship with a corporate responsibility consulting firm in New York, Corporate Citizenship.

I am most passionate about the positive impact that business and products can have on people. I’m also passionate about sports, music, and positivity.

One thing you do to protect the environment? Recycle. I do not consume bottled water, conserve energy whenever possible, and consider the environmental impact of almost everything I do.

Future goals/plans? I aim to continue to do work that feeds my passion and sparks my interest, learn more about digital content, learn to DJ/mix music, visit California, Nigeria, Germany and New Zealand/Australia within 5 years  and continue to enjoy times with friends and family.

 

Revisiting Bethesda Green interns, #2

As students go back to school to start their spring semester, finding a summer internship is definitely on their to-do list, and now is the time when employers are looking for talented students to fill their organizational needs. So each year Bethesda Green hosts Fields of Green Internship Fair to connect highly qualified students who are looking for opportunities in the environmental sector with DC metro area’s green employers. Getting ready for the event this year, we decided to share a series of profiles about some of the amazing interns who have worked with us recently.

Meet Jennifer Roe. She grew up in Bethesda but has lived all over the world since then.  She spent a year in Edinburgh, Scotland, and received a Master’s degree in Sustainable Development. During her time in Scotland she became passionate about moving away from an unhealthy, unfair food system and has been working towards building a healthier system ever since.

How did you hear about Bethesda Green? I found out about Bethesda Green when I first moved back to the U.S. from Scotland.  During my job search I came across BG’s website; decided to attend the Education, Outreach and Marketing meeting; and soon after, began my internship.

The best thing about interning at Bethesda Green…was getting to know the people there.  I loved working with the BG team and all the community members who are so passionate about making Bethesda and surrounding communities more sustainable.  Everyone is filled with inspiring ideas about how to change the world for the better.

What have you been up to since your internship at Bethesda Green? After my internship, I started working for a start-up company called Relay Foods.  We are an online farmers market and grocery store that offers 300 local products as well as everyday groceries.  Relay is working towards building a more efficient, no-waste food system that supports small, local business. I am so proud of the growth I have seen in the company over the past 6 months and think everyone should try it out!

I am most passionate about healthy, delicious food that is good for the earth!

One thing you do to protect the environment? Shop local whenever possible.

Future goals/plans? TRAVEL! I have spent  a lot of time traveling but the list never ends. I also hope to one day go to business school to learn about starting my own organization that gives back to those in needs and creates a healthier world.

 

Revisiting Bethesda Green interns

As students go back to school to start their spring semester, finding a summer internship is definitely on their to-do list, and now is the time when employers are looking for talented students to fill their organizational needs. So each year Bethesda Green hosts Fields of Green Internship Fair to connect highly qualified students who are looking for opportunities in the environmental sector with DC metro area’s green employers. Getting ready for the event this year, we decided to share a series of profiles about some of the amazing interns who have worked with us recently.

Meet Megan Clark. She is a junior at American University, studying Public Communication with minors in Marketing and Psychology. She has held several positions in sustainability-related fields because she is interested in making the world a greener place.

How did you hear about Bethesda Green? I heard about Bethesda Green through a position I held at American University’s Office of Sustainability. They told us about the Fields of Green Internship Fair where I learned about the internship positions available at Bethesda Green.

The best thing about interning at Bethesda Green…was getting to know the people that work there and getting involved in a multitude of projects. Every day was different, and I liked that there was always something new to learn.

What have you been up to since your internship at Bethesda Green? I just got back from studying European Sustainable Development in Copenhagen, Denmark, for the fall semester, which was a great experience, but now I am looking forward to getting further involved on my campus again at AU.

I am most passionate about my friends and family. These are the people that love and support me. Wherever I find myself in my future, I know that they will be by my side.

One thing you do to protect the environment? I always bring reusable bags to the grocery store, and I have my own recycling bin in my room in my apartment. Incorporating sustainability into my daily life is a huge priority for me.

Future goals/plans? My future plans for this year are to get more involved in service opportunities on my campus and expand my network. As for beyond this year, I am looking forward to pursuing different career opportunities and really getting my feet wet working in different fields. I would also like to travel back to Europe at some point and visit the places I haven’t been to yet such as London, Paris, Rome and Vienna!

 

An Internship Fair success story

by Lauren Lesser

I’m happy to promote the Bethesda Green Fields of Green Internship Fair — after all, it’s how I got connected with my current job at 4GreenPs, which I love!  If you’re on the fence about whether to come to the internship fair, here’s what my experience was like.

The best part of the Fields of Green Internship Fair for me was the opportunity to make connections with different businesses in person.  As a job seeker, the difference between interacting with a company’s website and talking to an employee (or even the owner of a company) is enormous.  It was invaluable to get to know the faces behind the organizations I had researched online, and get answers to my questions face to face.  I was also impressed by the turnout — last year the attendees ranged from high school seniors to post-grads from master’s degree programs.

With so many organizations and friendly people gathered in one place, I was able to get a much better sense of the interconnected network of organizations around me.  As Woody Allen is credited with saying, “80% of life is showing up,” and just being in the room with such a great network was a smart move for helping me learn about the range of programs and opportunities available here in my backyard.

I submitted several of my resume copies and made some great new contacts, but I ultimately interviewed with my future (now current) boss later that day, as the event was ending.  A few weeks later, I was on board for a short project; now I’m approaching my first year as an employee of 4GreenPs.  I’ve gained experience in marketing and the private sector, promoted sustainability and social causes, and met some great people in the process!

I couldn’t have done it without Bethesda Green and the Fields of Green Internship Fair.  I hope that you’ll take advantage of the amazing work this group does, especially in promoting green jobs — like mine!

Lauren Lesser is a Marketing Associate at 4GreenPs, a strategic marketing firm dedicated to promoting sustainable products, services, causes, and corporate social responsibility.  Say ‘hi’ to her on Twitter @LaurenLesser, or at the next Bethesda Green Happy Hour!

 

Bethesda Green 2013 program preview

Plans are under way for an exciting calendar of Bethesda Green programs and events for 2013. Here’s a sneak peak of what lies ahead:

Finance Workshop Series & Venture Forum
Bethesda Green has launched a series of workshops and a venture forum to help grow the green business economy in the region.  The  next workshop on the schedule, Thursday, Jan. 31: What Investors Are Looking for and How To Pitch.

Fields of Green Internship Fair
We will host our 4th annual Fields of Green Internship Fair on Saturday, Feb. 9. This is a great opportunity for young people to line-up internships with companies and non-profits offering job experience in the green business sector.

“Changing the Way We Eat”
Saturday, Feb. 16, we will once again host a TEDxManhattan “Changing the Way We Eat” official viewing party — a day-long series of live-webcast presentations broadcast from New York.  A special feature of the event includes a presentation by Cheryl Kollin about Farm to Freezer by Full Plate Ventures and Bethesda Cares, a program Bethesda Green helped launch in 2012.

Solar & Green Home Expo
Saturday, May 11, be on the lookout for our 4th annual show connecting residents with vendors in the green service sector.

Reel Water Film Festival
A new addition of the Bethesda Green portfolio, the 2013 film festival will be presented in the heart of downtown Bethesda early summer.

Farm Tours
Later in the summer, around July and August, Bethesda Green will focus on local and sustainable food in the Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve.

Bethesda Green Gala
As we round the corner into autumn 2013, we will celebrate our 5th anniversary with the annual Bethesda Green Gala in early October.

We hope to see all of our Bethesda Green friends at one or many of our upcoming events.

For more information about Bethesda Green plans for 2013, please contact Program Manager Sharon D’Emidio, sharon@bethesdagreen.org.

 

SAVE the DATE — Internship Fair, Saturday, Feb. 9

Fields of Green Internship Fair

Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013
10 am – 2 pm
4825 Cordell Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814

Second Floor above the Capital One Bank

Are you a college or grad school student looking for an internship or job in the environmental sector?  Have you recently graduated and need to get your foot in the door to kick start you environmental career?

If so, Bethesda Green’s 4th annual Fields of Green Internship Fair is for you!

This event is easily accessed via metro train (Bethesda Station), bus, bicycle or driving.  This year we will host over 25 environmental employers from the DC metro area.  Come to the fair prepared to impress as employers will be interviewing promising candidates on-the-spot.

Here is a sneak peak of some of the employers who attended the Fields of Green Internship Fair from 2012.  Please check our website in early January for updates on the 2013 employers.

• The Nature Conservancy
• Student Conservation Association
• Rock Creek Conservancy
• Habitat for Humanity
• Savenia Labs
• And many, many more!

We hope to see you on February 9th!  If you have any questions, please contact Sharon D’Emidio at Sharon@bethesdagreen.org.

 

Green job opportunities keep rolling in

Even though it’s been a month since the Bethesda Fields of Green Internship Fair, the green job opportunities keep rolling in. Check out this exciting opportunity for women interested in the green building trades.

A free, 6-week pre-apprenticeship training program in the green building trades, funded through the Department of Labor and administered by the Community Services Agency of the ALF-CIO, is starting in May 2012. An information session about the Building Futures class is scheduled tomorrow, Tuesday, March 27. Interested parties should immediately contact Jennifer Gajdosik, jgajdosik@wowonline.org or call (202)464-1596 ext. 109.

Back on February 25, Bethesda Green hosted its third annual Fields of Green Internship Fair, attracting 24 green employers and more than 120 intern prospects. The employers represented both national and international environmental organizations like The Student Conservation Association, The Nature Conservancy and Habitat for Humanity.  Several smaller local companies and non-profits including Rock Creek Conservancy,  Savenia Labs, Anacostia Watershed Society, DC Greenworks, Calleva Outdoor Camp and  Common Cents Solar participated as well.  Over one hundred paid and unpaid environmental internships were available through the employers participating in the event.

The overall feedback from students and employers was that the Fields of Green Internship Fair filled a great need for local area green jobs.  For many of the students who attended this will be their first step in the professional job arena.  And, for our employers who were hoping to attract top talent to their business, they weren’t disappointed.  Bethesda Green strives to create a sustainable community and support green jobs in our local economy.  There is no question that the annual Fields of Green Internship is doing just that!

For more information about employers that participated and internship descriptions, check out the Bethesda Green website.