Environmental Affairs Intern​

 Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC) creates sustainable energy solutions through river and tidal turbine devices that connect to the micro grid and utility scale. In my internship with ORPC, I reviewed and compiled the existing environmental data on the endangered Cook Inlet beluga whale population and wrote a state of the science report to guide the company’s projects in terms of environmental compliance. ​

     Through my internship, I learned aspects both about myself as well as different career fields. While I enjoy researching, it is important to me to keep moving, be outdoors, and interact with other people in the workplace. The renewable energy field is fascinating and needs people with all sorts of academic backgrounds so that companies can permit projects safely. A new skill I acquired was learning to sift through numerous scientific articles to synthesize the most relevant information into a concise report. One of my favorite parts of the internship was the opportunity to conduct meetings with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) regulators in Alaska, discussing with them the status of the endangered whale population and the feasibility of tidal energy devices. The regulators are marine mammal scientists, and meeting with them made me consider pursuing a career that involves animal species conservation and its intersectionality with human industry. 

Funding provided by the Richard G. D'Auteuil '82 and Kimberly A. Labbe '82 Internship Fund.