Save Our Interns

The document emphasizes the critical role of paid internships in launching careers for climate policy experts and advocates. It describes how the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) maintained its internship program during the COVID-19 pandemic by implementing a remote model with written plans, technology subsidies, and daily check-ins to ensure equity and professional development.

• Internships are described as essential for building professional networks and entering the climate policy field, particularly in Washington, D.C.
• The coronavirus pandemic led many employers in the capital to cancel internship programs, potentially impacting the career trajectories of thousands of students.
• The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) successfully implemented a remote internship program using a written plan, 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} }