51±¬ÁÏ

Mara Michel, a Master of Environmental Management and Master of Business Administration concurrent degree student, spent her summer as a climate sustainability graduate intern at Mars Inc. Michel is concentrating in Energy and Environment as well as Environmental Analytics and Modeling. 

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 Michel to learn more about her experience. 

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

One of the most rewarding aspects of the experience was collaborating with the global sustainability and logistics teams. We connected over a shared love of pets and candy — two of Mars’ core businesses — which made the experience both enjoyable and uniquely personal.

I also gained valuable insight into how sustainability challenges are approached across the world.

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

My role involved two supply chain greenhouse gas assessment projects, both of which required extensive data collection and analysis. The skills I developed in Noelle Wyman Roth’s Qualitative Methods course were instrumental in guiding my data collection approach.

Additionally, I applied knowledge from Dalia Patiño-Echeverri’s Modeling for Energy Systems course and Holly Emerson’s Carbon Accounting and Certification course to conduct my analyses effectively.

These courses all featured hands-on projects, which provided concrete examples I was able to draw upon during my internship interviews, significantly strengthening my application and confidence.

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

Yes, I had the pleasure of working closely with one NSOE alum and connected with several other alums across the organization. These relationships added a sense of community and support to my internship, making the experience more enjoyable and helping me feel at home within the company.

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

This internship reaffirmed my professional goal of working at the intersection of supply chain and sustainability within the consumer goods industry. There’s so much complexity involved in how products are created, transported, used, and eventually disposed of, and I’m excited to drive sustainable innovations in this space.