Environmental Progress - Summer 2003

GEC Inter Alumni:
Where Are They Now?

Survey finds many went on to careers in environmental fields

More than 400 college student have participated in the Governor's Environmental Corps (GEC) since its inception in 1992. When planning for the 2003 internships, the question of where former interns are now arose. Locating GEC alumni became one of the assignments for an Office of Public Information intern.

An electronic plea went out to current IEPA employees for any information regarding former GEC interns; the many responses revealed that not only were some employees still in contact with GEC alumni but some were former interns themselves.

Program designed to give "real world" experience

The GEC program is designed to promote environmental awareness and education, to provide hands-on experiences for students of environmental studies and to introduce participants to the every day demands on a state government agency.

Comments from alumni of the program indicate it is very successful in reaching those goals. Responses to a survey indicate that 60 per cent of those replying have careers in the environmental field, some with consulting firms, others in environmental law, many in government. Those with careers in other fields expressed their continued interest in environmental issues.

A 2001 alumni, now a graduate student at Eastern Illinois University, is including the use of diatoms as biological monitors in the Sangamon River in her theses. She states that her experience with water quality issues as an intern has been very helpful in her endeavor. Another 2001 participant is now a chemical engineer and yet another is a teacher helping young people to learn ways in which they can protect the environment.

A 2000 responder completed a bachelor's degree in Environmental Science and is currently at law school in New York pursuing a J.D. and an Environmental Law Certificate.

Christa Patterson, who served as an intern at the Champaign Laboratory in 1999, is currently a Lab Associate there. She was Agency Employee of the Month in March 2002.

Chris Puccini, 1996 intern, works in the IEPA Office of Pollution Prevention and attributes his career to his GEC internship. Chris said, "I enjoyed the internship. It's a program that I have recommended to others."

Those who responded to the survey felt it afforded an opportunity to meet other young people interested in environmental studies, provided a chance to apply textbook learning and develop practical skills. It also enabled some to discover a specific area as a focus in environmental work.

Influence felt in other fields as well

The GEC program has influenced the lives and decisions of those who went on to other fields as well. A 1993 intern stated that the internship gave her an opportunity to learn about government and allowed her to become cognizant of science related career fields she had not considered. One 1992 alumnus, who became an assistant director of development at Stanford University, is now beginning work on his Master of Business Administration at MIT. He and his family believe that the GEC internship has been helpful with transitioning into new experiences and was an enriching experience.

All former GEC interns, whom we were able to reach and who responded to the survey, expressed their appreciation for the time spent in the mentoring program.