Environmental Progress - Summer/Fall 2002

Environmental Progress : Summer/Fall 2002

Internships at the Illinois EPA

"Hands on" experience can broaden textbook knowledge.

For much of its history, the IEPA has supported internship programs that allow students to get hands-on experience with environment-related programs. This kind of outreach can be prolonged and intense, like the two year GPSI program, or more narrowly focused short term exposures like the Pollution Prevention or Governor's Environmental Corps programs that occur during the summer months. All have the same goal - letting students apply what they've learned in the classroom to real life situations and, in the process, see how complex environmental protection issues can be, and decide if that's the career choice for them.

Here are brief summaries of the Agency's current internship programs.

11th Class for GEC Program

Luncheon at Mansion for interns

The 2002 GEC interns gather for a group photo after their "graduation" lunch at the executive mansion in Springfield.

On August 1, 2002, 41 college undergraduates and graduate students were luncheon guests at the executive mansion in Springfield, marking the completion of the 11th Governor's Environmental Corps internship.

In the innovative program, sponsors from the private section underwrite stipends that allow college students considering careers in environment-oriented fields to serve for nine weeks in posts at Illinois EPA headquarters or its regional offices. Student job assignments vary across the Agency from permitting and inspections to preparation of legal cases, and are related as closely as possible to the students' specialty fields.

Interns go on field trips that allow them to view first-hand environmental activities around the state. The 2002 field trips included a coal company, a manufacturer of heavy equipment, a chemical manufacturer, a municipal water treatment plant and a sewage treatment facility.

Students interested in working with young people were given the opportunity to serve with the Junior GEC, that provides an introduction to environmental concepts at day camps and other youth-oriented programs operated near Springfield.

Traditionally, the internship kicks off with a team building exercise at the Eagle Creek facility, where interns get their first introduction to each other and to Agency activities. During the nine weeks, they also spend one or two days at the Lincoln Memorial Gardens located at Lake Springfield, helping with site restoration, bank stabilization and similar projects. In addition to their other assignments, interested students prepare a video that documents the interns' experiences. The video has its premiere showing during the "graduation" lunch at the executive mansion. The 2002 edition featured an original musical score created and performed by two of the interns.

Fourteen Graduate Students Describe Internship Program

GPSI Program offers 21 months of experience, challenge and a Master's Degree

The 2002 GPSI group of intern includes, from the left, front row, Tyan Pulver, Vanessa Ranck, and Raegan Hennemann; middle row, Brian Casey, Whitney Cassens and Jen Johnson; and back row, Cara Caupert, Kevin Schaefer, and Shyan Kovuri.

During the year just ended the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency had 14 Graduate Public Service Interns (GPSIs). The program provides professional development experience to students pursuing a Master's Degree in various fields through the University of Illinois at Springfield. The 21-month program GPSI program places interns at jobs at various state agencies. (Please note: interns' replies are in their own words)

Q: Why did you decide to go to graduate school?

A: I wanted an education in the environmental field, more money (we'll see), and lastly I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with my life yet. I knew I would never go back to school if I didn't do it now. (Leslie White, Groundwater Section, BOW)

A: Expand my educational background. Gain work experience through the GPSI program. (Whitney Cassens, Agency Safety Unit)

A: Believe it or not, I've always enjoyed school and after I received my BA, pursuing a graduate degree seemed to be the most preferable option. (Trevor Ollech, Bureau Chief's Office, BOA).

Q: How will your experience at the IEPA benefit you in the future?

A: That is a really good question ... Because so much of the work that I do would technically fall under the heading of "Agency Confidential," about all I can guarantee that my experience will help me with is creatively writing a resume. (Kevin Schaefer, screens files for Freedom of Information Act requests)

A: Not only will the experience make me a better candidate for jobs, but it has also helped me choose a career path (Environmental Health). The training I have gotten and will get with the EPA will also leave me better trained and educated for future jobs. (Jen Johnson, Emergency Operations Unit)

A: I can say MS at UIS and internship at IEPA (state agency in general) is a perfect combination as one can progress both academically and professionally. (Shyam Kovuri, Information Management Sub Unit, BOW)

A: The master's degree counts for a certain amount of experience and IEPA provides another couple of years. It has been critical in my job search. Even though we are supervised in our activities, I have gained a wide range of experience. OCR works all over the agency, so being well rounded is great. I have been able to bulk up my portfolio in a manner that would not be possible with only school experience. (Vanessa Ranck, Office of Community Relations)

A: I will have gained valuable experience in how state government works, as well as a background in geology. (Ryan Pulver, Groundwater Section BOW)

A: Working at the IEPA I have learned to have greater confidence in my professional skills. I no longer feel like an inexperienced college graduate. I now have a sizable body of previous professional work experience that I will be able to highlight to future employers. (Trevor Ollech)

Q: Would you like to pursue a career in state government after your two-year experience is over?

A: Right now, I am planning to go into the Air Force or Navy as a Public Health Officer because I am not sure what area of Public Health I want to work in. This opportunity should give a me a taste of many aspects of the field. After my three year commitment and since my graduate degree is in Public Health, I will work at the federal, state, or local level. My dream is to work for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, GA. (Whitney Cassens, Agency Safety Unit)

A: Absolutely. Before I began GPSI, state government was just one possible option, but it has certainly increased my interest in pursuing a career in state government. (Shannon Olson, Nonpoint Source Unit, BOW).

Q: What is the most interesting thing you have learned since you began your internship?

A: Above the BOA where I work there is a whole other hidden floor. Apparently, it was a shower room for the workers of the Sangamon Watch Co. (Trevor Ollech)

A: It can take a long time for things to move along or happen in state government. (Leslie White)

Q: What is your favorite part of this job? What is your least favorite?

A: My least favorite is being stuck inside and in front of the computer all day, but my favorite is probably the people I work with and comedy hour at lunch. (Leslie White)

A: Favorite: Having such a variety of experiences and being involved in environmental protection. Least Favorite: That it will end soon...too bad you can't be an intern until you retire! (Shannon Olson)

A: Going out on incidents and seeing how things actually happen and then comparing that experience to what I think should have happened. (Jen Johnson)

A: Favorite part is it is a pretty relaxed atmosphere. Least favorite is having too much work and too little time to do it in. (Joni Estabrook, drinking water compliance assurance/chemical monitoring sub-unit, BOW)

Q: Have you ever gotten lost in the building and if so how and where?

A: The first day I was here, I was told to park in the back lot and follow someone in through the security door. The person I followed happened to work in BOW, so they took an immediate right. I saw the sign on the door in front of me, which said to keep this door closed. I didn't know what was on the other side, so like an idiot, I took a right. I ended up at the North Entrance doors, so instead of trying this again, I walked around the building on the outside to the Atrium entrance. (Whitney Cassens)

A: I would love to say yes, but actually I haven't because I always try to get directions before I venture out. But, I do think if you dropped me in the middle of one of the other bureaus it would take me a while to get out of the maze. (Shannon Olson)

A: Nope, I really don't venture too far from my cubicle without leaving a trail of breadcrumbs. Besides, I know how to get to anywhere that I really need to go. (Kevin Schaefer)

A: Yes, and if I knew where I wouldn't have been lost. Just kidding, I think it was over in (the Bureau of ) Air. (Joni Estabrook)

A: Yes, I am from the BOA and once had to deliver something to a person in BOL and was lost for hours. BOL is a vast winding complex of cubicles. (Trevor Ollech)

18 Illinois Facilities Benefit From Pollution Prevention Internships

Hands-on projects save companies money, manpower and headaches

The 2002 P2 interns and Director Cipriano and P2 staff at Agency headquarters.

In the summer of 2002, 18 Illinois facilities hosted student interns who worked on predetermined pollution prevention (P2) projects. Some of the projects dealt with energy efficiency. The Agency's Office of Pollution Prevention co-sponsored the interns.

Prior to working on site at each facility, the students attended four days of P2 training in Springfield in late May. IEPA's Richard Reese and Brian Rodely coordinated the P2 training for the interns. Below is a summary of the host facilities and a brief description of the project that the student worked on.

Abbot Labs, North Chicago, Ill.
Investigate P2 methods for wastewater load reduction

Caterpillar Technical Services Division, Mossville, Ill.
Analyze coolant and swarf recycling methods. Develop energy audit procedures. (Swarf is fine metal leftover material.)

Cognis Corp., Kankakee, Ill.
Investigate methods to reduce odors from activated WWTP sludge.

Dana Brake Parts, Litchfield, Ill.
Identify energy efficiency opportunities.

James Hardie Building Products, Peru, Ill.
Investigate wastewater and sludge reduction opportunities

Loves Park Public Works Dept, Loves Park, Ill.
Provide P2 assistance to businesses located in the groundwater recharge area.

Medichem, Lemont, Ill.
Evaluate silica reduction methods for chemical synthesis projects.

Monterey Coal, Carlinville, Ill.
Investigate dust suppressant alternatives.

Northwestern Plating, Chicago, Ill.
Investigate metal precipitation technologies for acid pickle wastes.

Noveon, Henry, Ill.
Evaluate P2 opportunities for minimizing product losses to the sewer

ONDEO-Nalco, Chicago, Ill.
Analyze cooling tower system and identify water conservation methods.

Pfizer Inc., White Hall, Ill.
Investigate water conservation and in-process heavy metals reduction options.

Solutia, Sauget, Ill.
Identify P2 opportunities to help comply with proposed organic NESHAP rules.

St. Mary's Hospital, East St. Louis, Ill.
Investigate energy efficiency methods and P2 options for reducing PBT chemicals.

Sterling Labs, Harwood Heights, Ill.
Investigate energy and water conservation opportunities.

The Ensign-Bickford Company, Wolf Lake, Ill.
Identify P2 options for plastic waste streams. Develop an energy conservation program.

Unilever Bestfoods, Chicago, Ill.
Conduct a water conservation study.

WMRC, Champaign, Ill.
Conduct research and field tests on reverse osmosis alternatives for electroplating.