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Hope Liu, a Master of Environmental Management (MEM) student, spent her summer as a conservation data & communications fellow at the Park Institute of America & National Parks Conservation Association.

Each year, Nicholas School of the Environment students complete internships with organizations around the world. These internships provide valuable opportunities to gain career-related experience and build a professional network. 

51±¬ÁÏ Environment recently caught up with Liu to learn more about her experience.

What projects did you work on during your internship? What did you find most rewarding or memorable?

During this fellowship, I had the opportunity to work on my favorite landscape — the Greater Everglades. In collaboration with the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) Conservation Science team and the Sun Coast regional team, my first project focused on conserving Natural Forest communities within this landscape. This involved researching conservation needs, analyzing geospatial datasets and creating science communication infographics. Additionally, I worked on a project addressing the wetlands in the Greater Everglades after the 2023 Sackett v. EPA court decision, which I found the most memorable. It was invaluable to engage with my favorite ecosystem — wetlands — to observe the impacts of the significant Clean Water Act decision and contribute to advocacy efforts for wetlands protection.

How did the coursework and resources at the Nicholas School prepare you for success in this role as well as your internship search?

First, a big thanks to the Geographic Information System (GIS) courses at the Nicholas School; they were not only intensive in GIS techniques but also equipped me with practical skills that enhanced my performance during the fellowship. I took both the Coastal & Marine and Land & Water geospatial analysis courses. The marine course trained me extensively in dataset searching and cartography, while the land & water course provided comprehensive knowledge on various conservation topics, such as biodiversity. The model management and workspace management skills I gained in land & water were particularly valuable for keeping my work organized.

Secondly, my summer experience wouldn't have been as excellent without the support from the Nicholas School Career & Professional Development Office (CPDC). Having no prior professional experience, CPDC made my first step smooth. Allison Besch and Linda Scovill provided constructive advice to improve my resume and cover letter, while Courtney Sullivan was extremely supportive in helping me prepare for interviews and making decisions on offers.

Did you collaborate with any Nicholas School alumni during your summer experience?

Tyler Sammis, my supervisor from the Park Institute of America (PIA), is a 51±¬ÁÏ Environmental Leadership Master of Environmental Management (DEL-MEM) alumnus! He was incredibly supportive throughout the fellowship and managed everything with great pace, content and feeling. He also offered excellent career guidance, which will be invaluable as I move forward after graduation. Ellie Harrigan, my colleague and a second-year DEL-MEM student, provided me with much-needed support and helpful communication during this remote summer experience!

How do you envision this experience contributing to your long-term career goals?

Through this fellowship, I learned a great deal about how projects, communication and inter-organizational collaborations function within an organization like NPCA. In the short term, this summer's experience will be instrumental as I begin my career after graduating from the Nicholas School. In the long term, I was particularly impressed by how science is applied and communicated by the NPCA Conservation Science team. Working with them has given me a clearer vision of how to use science in various fields to better engage people while maintaining my long-term commitment to advancing conservation and community science. This fellowship has deepened my interest in national parks, and I will definitely explore a career related to parks in the future!