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Career Series: Fast Five with EGLE’s interns

July 31, 2025

Word cloud of EGLE's Internship program

As part of National Intern Day, this Fast Five edition of MI Environment – the latest in EGLE’s Career Series – features EGLE’s 19 interns working at the department in 2025. Earlier this year, EGLE announced it transitioned its internship program from an unpaid program to a paid program.

They answered these five questions:

  1. What is your name?
  2. What is your College/University and area of study (or major)?
  3. In what EGLE Division are you interning?
  4. How has this internship influenced your career goals?
  5. What is one thing you will take with you from this experience?
  1. Ihsan Akhtar
  2. University of Michigan; Environmental Engineering MSE, Environment & Sustainability MS, Environmental Health Sciences MS
  3. Drinking Water and Environmental Health Division; Onsite Wastewater Management Unit
  4. Serving as an intern with MI EGLE has had an enormous influence on my conviction to pursue public-sector environmental and public health work. I've seen environmental quality analysts, engineers, and sanitarians come together to shape and uphold environmental and public health laws, and apply science to policy and practice; this science-policy interface, as applied to challenges in public safety and welfare, forms the basis for what I wish to devote my skills towards, and this internship has strengthened my dedication to synthesize diverse disciplines and focus them towards public good. 
  5. Sound regulations are grounded in sound science, and protecting public health and the environment is very much a team effort that draws on the knowledge and experiences of many. Also, it's not enough to have regulations - interfacing with the public and bringing stakeholders to the table -- both for shared decision-making and accountability, is essential.
Ihsan Akhtar headshot
  1. Truman Bauer
  2. I am a senior at Michigan State University studying Biosystems Engineering.
  3. I am interning as part of the Air Quality Division’s permit department.
  4. This internship has really solidified the fact that I want to work with the environment. Seeing the permitting process and learning what the AQD does to ensure Michigan has clean and healthy air has been an amazing experience that I would love to make a career out of.
  5. One thing I am going to take with me from this experience is new and improved communication skills. Part of my internship involves setting up meetings to learn about different sources of emissions. Through this, I have learned just how important it is to have open communication and to ask questions. I feel confident that what I am learning here will be extremely valuable once I begin my future career!
Truman Bauer wearing climbing gear on the side of a mountain
  1. Zoë Bishop
  2. University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability, specializing in Environmental Justice
  3. Drinking Water and Environmental Health Division
  4. This internship has guided me toward working in the government sector, piquing my interest in environmental health and justice.
  5. One thing I will take away from this internship are the characteristics of a positive and productive work environment. Being a part of EGLE has shown me the best parts of workplace community and collaboration.
Zoe Bishop holding flowers
  1. Bryana Borders
  2. University of Michigan, Master of Public Health (MPH) with a focus in Environmental Health Sciences and Industrial Hygiene
  3. Air Quality Division based in Bay City
  4. Prior to being a part of this internship, I was already interested in working for a regulatory agency, and this experience has truly confirmed that passion. Seeing firsthand how EGLE professionals positively impact Michigan communities has been both inspiring and motivating. This opportunity has deepened my commitment to a career in environmental protection, and I am more excited than ever to graduate and continue making a difference in this field.
  5. One of the most valuable lessons from this internship is the importance of a supportive team. The welcoming and collaborative environment at EGLE made a huge impression on me. Everyone is eager to help and genuinely enthusiastic about their work. It’s refreshing to witness such a positive workplace culture. As I look for places to work after graduation, I will seek out roles with organizations that share these values, where the work is fulfilling and the team is uplifting, so that I can thrive in my future career.
Bryana Borders headshot
  1. Reagan Fennelly
  2. Siena Heights University, Environmental Engineering
  3. Materials Management Division, Solid Waste Section
  4. My experience as an intern has influenced my career goals by allowing me to explore the many and varied positions at EGLE. From tagging along with engineers for inspections to being involved in discussions across divisions, I have been exposed to numerous paths for my future.
  5. One thing I will take with me from my internship is that every day is a chance to learn something new if you’re willing to put yourself in spaces that are potentially uncomfortable. The reward for doing this, however, is well worth it.
Reagan Fennelly headshot
  1. Quinn Fortin
  2. I am studying Environmental Engineering at Michigan State University.
  3. Drinking Water and Environmental Health Division
  4. This internship has really helped me learn more about the industry and has made me even more passionate about drinking water and narrowed my focus in the industry. It has allowed me to realize how much I like collaborating with others which will be an aspect I look for in my future career.
  5. I’m learning the importance of collaboration and how to apply my learning to real life experiences.
Quinn Fortin headshot
  1. Margot Frendt
  2. University of Michigan, double major in Earth and Environmental Science & Program in the Environment
  3. Drinking Water and Environmental Health Division
  4. This internship has not only taught me so much about PFAS in drinking water, but also about working in government. I can see myself working in the public sector in my future career because of this experience.
  5. After this internship ends, I will continue to research and educate others on emerging contaminants in drinking water. My time at EGLE has increased my interest in protecting access to safe drinking water, so I will make sure to engage with new EGLE resources on this topic.
Margot Frendt headshot
  1. Alexandra Grabowski
  2. Michigan State University and Geological Sciences
  3. Remediation and Redevelopment Division, Jackson District Office
  4. Working with such kind people has defiantly made me have high expectations when I look for a job after I’m done with schooling! But for now, I still have the same plan I did before, which is go to grad school. Everyone here has been very encouraging of that idea, so I feel like it’s the right track for me. Career-wise after? We’ll see where the wind takes me! I do like working with environmental work, so possibly some field that interacts with that.
  5. Besides all the new skills I’m gaining, working with such a collaborative group has definitely shifted my perspective on what a workplace can be. It gives me an encouraging feeling knowing there’s workplaces out there like this (and I’m lucky to be in one now!). A new perspective I think is one of the biggest takeaways I’ll have from this internship.
Alexandra Grabowski headshot
  1. Mary Herring
  2. University of Michigan, Organizational Studies – Urban Studies Pathway
  3. Environmental Support Division
  4. This internship has cemented my desire to be in a position to help people. Working on the Internship Showcase, it has brought me great joy to contribute to a project that helps uplift and celebrate the interns’ accomplishments, and I hope in whatever career field I find myself in I get to do something similar.
  5. One thing I will take with me from this experience is learning how everyone’s career journey is so unique! The sense of unknown is incredibly daunting approaching graduation, but getting to know my peers and colleagues, it’s comforting to learn that there’s no “right” path to your career.
Mary Herring holding My first Tigers Game sign
  1. Steven Hodges
  2. Michigan State University, Environmental Engineering
  3. Materials Management Division
  4. This internship has allowed me to gain perspective as to what working from home, in the office, and out in the field is like. This has helped me determine what parts of these experiences I will value as I search for jobs in the future.
  5. One thing I will take with me from working for EGLE is the knowledge on how much work goes into keeping our Earth green every day. Every time I have a new experience like this one I am shocked at the amount of people who are working extremely hard to care for our planet.
Steven Hodges headshot
  1. Alex Johnson
  2. Aquinas College, Geography
  3. Materials Management Division
  4. Prior to starting with EGLE, I was unsure of the career path I wanted to follow. Through the work I have done, in collaboration with my supervisor, Nicki Guggemos, and other divisions, this internship has helped me realize my future goals as I finish the last year of my undergrad degree and look to step into the work force.
  5. Experience. I know it seems a little silly to say, but the exposure to the professional world is such an invaluable aspect of this internship to overlook. Whether it was sending an email, a quick Teams meeting with my supervisor, or finishing my project, I will carry the lessons I have learned with me for the rest of my life.
Alex Johnson standing on ice with mountain in background
  1. Quinn Leskovec
  2. University of Michigan School of Public Health
    1. Graduate Student
      1. Master of Public Health
      2. Program Hospital and Molecular Epidemiology
  3. MMD (Radiological Protection Lab)
  4. This internship has influenced my career goals in many ways:
    1. It provided me with an understanding of health risks associated with radiation and understanding the properties that can impact not only humans but all living things in an environment.
    2. It helped sharpen my statistical and research skills by identifying factors that can influence measurement outputs. Then using these factors to run experiments to find uncertainties in lab procedures, in the environment, and through human error.
    3. This internship provided me with a valuable experience to be able to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams such as nuclear engineers and chemists to work on accomplishing a common goal of providing the public with reliable and accurate information.
    4. Most importantly, this internship aligns closely with my long-term career goal of working in chronic disease epidemiology, specifically cancer research. Radiation plays a significant role in DNA damage and genetic mutations used to regulate proper cell division, such as the BRAC 1 gene. Understanding these mechanisms provided me knowledge in cancer prevention and treatment.
  5. One thing I will take away from my experience is a deeper understanding of how to assess, monitor, and mitigate radiation exposure risks. Which is an essential skill for protecting public health in both clinical and environmental settings.
Quinn Leskovec headshot
  1. Anna Grace Elizabeth Lubbers
  2. Central Michigan University, Environmental Studies major with InSciTE Certification
  3. Drinking Water and Environmental Health
  4. This internship has highlighted to me how important it is for me to connect with the goals of the work that I do. Working at EGLE has been one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had in my professional life, and it's because I feel strongly about the importance of what I'm doing. Going forward I want to focus on being able to do work that will directly impact the people of Michigan.
  5. I will take with me that nobody is expected to know everything, and even professionals need to ask for help!
Anna Lubbers headshot
  1. Sarah Meadows
  2. University of Michigan, MS Environment and Sustainability specializing in Environmental Policy
  3. Office of the Great Lakes
  4. With career goals focused on environmental and climate policy on all levels, this internship has provided me with a deeper understanding of the innerworkings of environmental policy on a state level, and the resilience of organizations to see success through years of continued efforts, both of which influence how I see my future work in environmental and climate policies, no matter if local, state, regional, or beyond.
  5. Something I will take away from my experience as an EGLE intern is how directly state and federal environmental policies work together, and the influence that regional partners can have on improving the environmental quality of our Great Lakes.
Sarah Meadows headshot

 

  1. Kate Meinecke
  2. I am a rising senior at the University of Michigan, studying Environment and Psychology.
  3. This summer I am working in the Materials Management Division in the Radiological Protection Section.
  4. I am really interested in environmental education and communication as a future career, and this internship has really helped me explore these areas more. As a Radon Program Outreach Intern, my work has centered around exploring past radon outreach materials, learning successful communication skills, and getting the chance to help develop new educational materials about radon. I am really grateful for Jay Paquette and Les Smith for letting me explore my career interests during my time here.
  5. One thing I will take from my internship here is to always be open to new learning experiences! While I have really enjoyed my focus on educational outreach materials, I’ve also had the opportunity to go to different events and see things that I didn’t know much about before now. I got to see and learn about an air monitoring station, join on a home visit to check for radioactive materials, attend a public meeting, and more. It’s always worth it to step outside your wheelhouse and try new things, because I’ve been able to experience some cool things I otherwise would never have known about. This internship has solidified my desire to continue in this field, and I’ve had such a blast here at EGLE!
Kate Meinecke in front of a canyon
  1. Madelyn Mulnix
  2. Michigan State University, majoring in Environmental Biology/Plant Biology
  3. Water Resources Division
  4. This internship has significantly strengthened my confidence in pursuing both graduate studies and a career in environmental science. It reaffirmed my passion for environmental conservation and made me even more certain that I chose the right field of study. Additionally, working with EGLE has been a rewarding experience, and I would be excited to explore future career opportunities with them!
  5. One of the most valuable takeaways from this experience is the meaningful connections I’ve made with EGLE staff across various divisions, sections, and units. These relationships have given me a deeper understanding of the agency’s work and may open doors for future collaboration. I also really appreciated the opportunity to cross-train and gain exposure to different roles within EGLE, which helped me explore my interests and better understand the many career paths in environmental science.
Madelyn Mulnix doing field work
  1. Asia Patterson
  2. MS Water Resource Policy at Grand Valley State University
  3. Office of the Environmental Justice Public Advocate
  4. Through this internship, I have gained a deeper understanding of how storytelling, advocacy, and policy intersect to advance Environmental Justice. It has really affirmed my commitment to pursuing roles that emphasize inclusive environmental policy development and community empowerment.
  5. Working on OEJPA newsletters, resource guides, and website updates during this internship taught me how clear, thoughtful, and inclusive communication can build awareness of environmental issues and make complex policies more accessible to the public. Effective communication is a cornerstone of meaningful advocacy and equity-focused projects, and that insight is something I will carry with me from this experience.
Asia Patterson with hiking gear on a sand dune
  1. Chloe Schultz-Kellett
  2. Wayne State University, majoring in Environmental Science, double minoring in Biology and Urban Sustainability
  3. Drinking Water and Environmental Health Division, Emerging Contaminants Unit
  4. Before, I didn't think working in drinking water was really my thing. It slipped under the radar frankly. Now I understand how interesting and dynamic the worlds of drinking water and water supplies are. It's given me a lot to think about and showed me a new area within the field of environmental public service.
  5. I really appreciate that this internship has put me directly into the real life work that EGLE does every day. Through this experience, I have actually been able to help communities and that's an amazing thing to be able to do.
Chloe Schultz Kellett holding two colorful birds
  1. Alivia Jane Scherer
  2. I am a Junior at Northern Michigan University studying Environmental Science and Chemistry
  3. I am a proud intern with the Emerging Contaminants Unit in the Drinking Water and Environmental Health Department
  4. This internship, with real-world experience and people facing very real problems, has shown me that I am exactly where I am supposed to be- on the frontlines, helping people and the environment. Despite all the challenges associated, I know this is the path I’m meant to take and working with EGLE has solidified that. I will gladly dedicate the rest of my life to working towards a safe, sustainable environment.
  5. With this internship, for the first time, I am directly helping people in environmental crisis. To assist at the foundation of environmental protection and activism and make a tangible contribution to the people and places suffering most is the greatest privilege and heaviest responsibility I proudly bear. To protect and serve Michigan’s landscape and people is not only my first choice but my honored duty. I am forever grateful for this experience, and I will carry it with me for the rest of my career as a reminder of what it’s all about and who it’s all for: the people.
Alivia Jane Scherer headshot
Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Environmental Services Department-wide MI Environment

Media Contact:

MI Environment Team

EGLE-Assist@Michigan.gov

517-284-9278

Author:

Cindy Whittum

Recruitment and Internship Specialist

WhittumC@Michigan.gov

517-914-6595

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