Allison Bryant ’19, a junior biology major with a concentration in environmental science, is spending her summer interning for the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER). SER is an international non-profit organization dedicated to promoting ecological restoration as a means of sustaining the diversity of life on Earth. Bryant’s daily responsibilities include: updating SER’s social media accounts, assisting in the expansion of a new certification program, designing the monthly member newsletter, Restore, developing databases for international volunteer opportunities and publications, compiling case studies, and communicating and exchanging information with different SER chapters.
“Getting to learn about the different restoration projects SER members are working on all over the world has been my favorite part so far,” says Bryant. “It is really interesting to see the different obstacles and approaches people take in the different habitats.”
Most of Allison’s experience in the environmental field has been through field work, so an internship with SER was the perfect opportunity to expand her skills.
“This internship has definitely given me insight into a whole other side of the environmental field. Working with SER has really been helping me hone my communication skills,” says Bryant. “I am talking with people from all over the world who are at varying stages of their careers. Environmental careers are available all over the world and in varying settings. I could be working with private consultants, engineers, rural communities, government employees, etc. Because of my internship from SER, I will be flexible and able to communicate with people of all backgrounds. I will also be prepared for the different professional reports, grant proposals, etc. that are vital to field work.”