The Water Environment Federation (WEF, Alexandria,
Va.) saw the return of some familiar faces, as well as welcomed new ones, to its
summer intern program this year. WEF hosted six interns in different departments
this summer.
Through the internship program, WEF helps young
professionals develop their careers. “WEF’s work environment allows you to learn
new skills and gives you the opportunity to expand your knowledge and
experience,” said intern Abby Blocker, who just finished her third summer at
WEF. “Due to the variety of departments I have worked in, it has helped with
making contacts throughout Alexandria and Washington, D.C., which have resulted
in job interviews,” she said.
WEF’s summer interns have a range of education and
experience but all have spent the summer developing new skills. “I’ve really
enjoyed my summer here and think that it has given me a unique experience,”
added intern Jordyn Wolfand, previous Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP)
finalist. “I’ve gained people skills that are extremely valuable,” she said.
“I’ve learned how to communicate clearly, how to react and respond to people’s
concerns, and how to assert myself and take charge of a situation.”
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| WEF's summer interns included, from left, Lauren Allen, Bill Gibson, Catherine Colliatie, Cal Silcox,
and Jordyn Wolfand. Abby Blocker is not pictured. Click for larger image. |
Get to know the summer interns below:
Abby Blocker (Statesboro, Ga.)
finished her third summer as a WEF intern — this year working in the government
affairs department. Abby composed letters to the U.S. Congress requesting
support for environmental legislation and assisted with the WEF publication
This Week in Washington. Abby graduated in May from Randolph–Macon
College (Ashburn, Va.), where she studied political science and environmental
studies. In past years, she worked in WEF's marketing department and as the SJWP
intern.
Lauren Allen (Rockville, Md.) is a
sophomore at American University (Washington, D.C.). She is studying
international relations and environmental studies. She is also captain of the
club field hockey team. At WEF, Lauren worked with the public communications
department. She helped coordinate World Water Monitoring Day events, as well as
plan the Washington, D.C., kick-off event on Sept. 18.
Bill Gibson (Springfield, Va.)
interned in the technical and educational services department, working with the
distance education program. Bill created online courses from material covered in
previous WEF webcasts. The courses will be available on the new WEF training Web
site. Bill is a junior at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
(Virginia Tech; Blacksburg, Va.), where he is studying industrial systems and
engineering, and is a member of Engineers Without Borders.
Catherine Colliatie (Vienna, Va.),
also in her third summer as a WEF intern, worked in the production department,
filling in for Jessica Rozek, who was on leave volunteering in
Burma. Catherine helped send out a number of WEF newsletters, worked on the
Water Environment Research Literature Review, and worked with member
associations on banner designs. In past years, Catherine has interned with the
technical programs department. She is also a junior at Virginia Tech, studying
business and finance.
Jordyn Wolfand (Bethesda, Md.), a
previous SJWP finalist, was the SJWP summer intern this year. Jordy helped
organize the 2009 U.S. SJWP competition in Anchorage, Alaska, in June, as well
as assisted in putting together the SJWP Journal. She is a junior at
Tufts University (Medford–Somerville, Mass.), where she is studying
environmental engineering and is a member of the women’s varsity crew
team.
Calder Silcox (Washington, D.C.)
interned in the magazines and newsletters department at WEF this summer. He
worked on researching, writing, and editing news pieces for WE&T
and Highlights, including a preview of this year’s Operations Challenge
at WEFTEC.09. Cal is a sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania
(Philadelphia), where he is studying science, technology, and society. He is a
staff writer for the Daily Pennsylvanian and Penn
Appetit.