Save Our Interns

A statement by Daniel Bresette, Executive Director of the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI), arguing for the critical importance of paid internships in the climate policy field and detailing EESI's successful transition to a remote internship model during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Internships are described as essential for building professional networks and launching careers within the climate policy sector, particularly in Washington, D.C.
• The COVID-19 pandemic led many employers in Washington, D.C. to cancel internship programs, resulting in lost opportunities for thousands of students.
• EESI maintained its internship program during the pandemic by implementing a remote model that included a written plan with clear expectations, technology requirements, a subsidy for internet costs, and daily online check-in meetings.
• EESI maintains a policy of paying its interns to ensure the program remains accessible to candidates from all backgrounds, citing this as a matter of principle and equity.

APA

Bresette, D. (2020). Save Our Interns. Environmental and Energy Study Institute. https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/save-our-interns

Chicago

Bresette, Daniel. Save Our Interns. Environmental and Energy Study Institute, 2020. https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/save-our-interns.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Bresette |first1=Daniel |title=Save Our Interns |publisher=Environmental and Energy Study Institute |date=25 August 2020 |url=https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/save-our-interns |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{bresette2020save, author = {Bresette, Daniel}, title = {{Save Our Interns}}, publisher = {Environmental and Energy Study Institute}, year = {2020}, month = aug, url = {https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/save-our-interns}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }