51±¬ÁÏ

Megan Dear, a Master of Environmental Management student, spent her summer as a U.S. climate resilient fisheries intern with the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). Dear is concentrating in Coastal and Marine Systems as well as Community Engagement and Environmental Justice. 

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

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

What aspects of the experience did you find most rewarding or memorable and why?

I loved my internship experience with my team at EDF since I was able to expand my knowledge within the U.S. fisheries governance process and gain skills in policy analysis.

My internship capstone was investigating how U.S. fisheries can increase climate resilience within their fisheries management plans through refined goals and objectives. I was able to interview people at every level including NOAA, the Regional Councils, EDF, and other NGOs.

My goal for after 51±¬ÁÏ is to be a marine policy analyst, and this internship absolutely set me up for success, so I am beyond grateful for this experience.

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

I entered my internship with little fisheries knowledge and background, yet I was still able to succeed due to my coursework at the Nicholas School.

The Ocean and Coastal Law and Policy course that the 51±¬ÁÏ Law School offers gave me the tools and skills to read and analyze policy documents. The projects prepared me for my internship’s final deliverable which was a white paper analyzing climate resilience in the U.S. fishery management policy documents and provide recommendations for council actions to support climate resilience governance.

Did you collaborate with any Nicholas School alumni? If so, how did those connections add to your summer experience?

Throughout my internship experience, I was able to connect with many Nicholas School alumni. My project worked closely with the U.S. Regional Fisheries Councils and NOAA Fisheries. There are many alumni throughout all governance levels who I was able to interview with. Everyone I met with was extremely welcoming and happy to support my work.

Nicholas School alumni are some of the most approachable and excited people I have had the privilege to know in a professional capacity.

How has this internship influenced your career aspirations? Did it confirm or change your professional goals in any way?

It definitely confirmed my professional goals. My background is in coral reef ecology, however, after seeing the devastating impacts of the mass bleaching event in Florida in 2023, I decided I wanted to transition into policy to support my friends’ and colleagues’ restoration work in a different way.

While my internship was not directly connected to coral reefs, the skills I gained I will be transferrable, and I am excited to see how my work will translate in the future.