In 2011, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center launched the Clean Energy Internship Program to connect clean energy employers with passionate and dedicated students. Since then, MassCEC has funded almost 6,000 internships at over 600 companies, promoting a more robust clean energy workforce. This blog series profiles interns from four companies – Green Century Capital Management, Harmony Desalting, Kuva, and Aloft Systems.
Introducing Green Century Capital Management
An environmentally responsible, fossil fuel-free mutual fund, Green Century Capital Management invests in companies that meet high environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) criteria to establish a positive impact. Additionally, they launch press campaigns to persuade corporations to improve their environmental performance. Hosting interns since the program's inception, Green Century has a long history of helping students develop skills to support the clean energy transition.
Meet the Interns: Alisha, Carly, and Elliott
Alisha and Carly, Marketing Interns at Green Century during summer 2023, dived into social media outreach and marketing campaigns, honing skills in Sugar, Adobe InDesign, and MailChimp. Even with these primary responsibilities, Carly noted that she “can dip her toes into a lot of different areas” because “everything is more hands-on in a smaller company.” Like many interns participating in the Clean Energy Internship Program, Alisha and Carly found that the broad-based exposure of their experience helped them advance their understanding of climate-critical work. Alisha strengthened her knowledge of how environmental responsibility can mitigate public health risks, while Carly learned about economic considerations.
Elliott, the Shareholder Advocacy Intern, navigated corporate landscapes, discussing shareholder policies with top-tier executives. Elliott highlighted that he learned how companies examine internal trade-offs relating to sustainability, which increased his overall understanding of ESG business practices, especially how companies define their priority targets.
Advice to Future Interns
Elliott advises future interns to "expect the unexpected," embracing unforeseen, exciting challenges. Alisha recommends always asking questions, emphasizing Green Century's supportive environment. These interns found fulfillment in their work, echoing the importance placed on their contributions by their employers.
Power Your Future: Apply for a Clean Energy Internship
These stories highlight the incredible opportunities awaiting students and recent graduates in the clean energy industry. Ready to embark on your clean energy journey? Join the MassCEC Clean Energy Internship Program by creating a profile on our workforce portal. The Summer 2024 session is open for enrollment — log in now to discover the internship that aligns with your interests and goals.
For inquiries, contact internships@masscec.com.