The Intern Experience: Making It Easier Being Green

Editor’s note: This is the third of a four-part series on student internships, produced by interns in the Office of Communications and Marketing: reporting intern Adaora Onyebeke ’17 and photo and video intern Elijah Guerrero '20.

ALBANY, N.Y. (September 7, 2017) — This past spring, Communication major Maki Mendalis was an intern at UAlbany’s Office of Sustainability, working as a social media specialist. This included using social media outlets such as Snapchat, Youni, Facebook and Instagram to help promote renewable energy initiatives to the campus community.

“The goal of the office is to lead environmental sustainability and to implement renewable energy around UAlbany in order to create more environmentally responsible citizens,” Mendalis said. “We did things like try to get more trash and recycling bins around campus, such as in the Campus Center.”

Upon becoming part of the communication department in the summer of 2016, Mendalis was introduced to a wide number of internship opportunities through Mass Communications lecturer William Husson.

“Professor Husson was very helpful during my internship search because he would send out internship opportunities to communication students every week,” Mendalis said. “Because I am interested in possibly pursuing a career in renewable energy, I thought it would be a great fit.”

The experience was both educational and rewarding. Upon completing his internship, Mendalis could say he was grateful for the career programs in place at UAlbany.

“I would tell any student looking for an internship to use the many resources the school offers,” he said. “After you have successfully scored an internship, take advantage of the Office of Career Services to help build up your resume to increase your chances for gaining future work opportunities.”

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