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Sarah Slay, a Master of Environmental Management and Master of City and Regional Planning at the University of North Carolina concurrent degree student, spent her summer as a Stanback Toxic Chemical Campaigns Fellow with the North Carolina Conservation Network.

Slay is pursuing concentrations in Terrestrial and Freshwater Environments and in Environmental Analytics and Modeling.

Each year, Nicholas School of the Environment students complete internships with organizations around the world. These summer experiences provide valuable opportunities to gain career-related experience and build a professional network. 

Duke Environment recently caught up with Slay to learn more about her experience. 

What aspects of the experience did you find most rewarding or memorable and why?

I spent most of my summer researching toxic pollutants such as PFAS, 6PPD, and phthalates. The goal of my research was to compare regulatory interventions in other states with those in North Carolina and address any gaps.

Engaging in environmental advocacy at the state level was very rewarding. I met with senators and representatives at the legislature to share my research. In these meetings, I saw the legislative process firsthand and engaged in meaningful conversations about the issues facing our state.

I also attended the N.C. Conservation Network’s conference in May to meet with other nonprofit organizations. Networking with other passionate environmentalists gave me a better understanding of different issues across the state. In addition, I learned about funding sources and grant writing strategies that are essential for advocacy groups.

How did the coursework and resources at the Nicholas School prepare you for success in this role as well as your internship search?

The Stanback Fellowship team was incredibly helpful throughout the internship search. Their insights and willingness to answer questions were much appreciated. 

In addition, my water finance class with Martin Doyle gave me useful knowledge on funding sources in the environmental field. Ryan Emmanuel’s indigenous water resource management course also provided strategies for engaging in environmental justice and finding common ground among those with different perspectives.

Did you collaborate with any Nicholas School alumni? If so, how did those connections add to your summer experience?

Although there were no Nicholas School alumni at the North Carolina Conservation Network, I collaborated with several alumni at other organizations. 

For example, I met with alumni at Haw River Assembly, Toxic Free N.C. and MountainTrue during the conference. These conversations gave me insights into future career options after graduating as well as a better understanding of environmental issues across the state.

How has this internship influenced your career aspirations? Did it confirm or change your professional goals in any way?

This internship provided me with my first nonprofit job experience. My passionate coworkers showed me the impact that environmental advocacy can have. Although consulting or government may be a more stable option, working at a nonprofit has been incredibly rewarding. I hope to be more engaged as a citizen and environmental advocate in the future.