Natural resources internships are often spent in state forests, nature preserves and youth camps. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point student Cody Kamrowski, Melrose, spent his summer natural resources internship in Washington, D.C.

 

As an intern for the Biomass Thermal Energy Council and the Renewable Energy Markets Association, both based in the nation’s capital, Kamrowski tracked and analyzed policies that make a difference to the two organizations. Both aim at advancing sustainable living through the use of renewable energy.

 

Kamrowski is a senior, majoring in natural resources social and policy sciences with minors in sustainable energy and public administration. His courses have combined natural resources knowledge with economics, climate change, political science, chemistry, biology and geography.

 

While his internship focused on tracking political policy through morning news coverage and attending Senate and House meetings, think-tank sessions, briefings and receptions, Kamrowski found that his broad natural resources education was helpful on the job.

 

“My studies at UW-Stevens Point were heavy on the science,” Kamrowski said, “so I was able to back up my political reviews with the science behind them.” He became a source of information for his fellow interns as well as other professionals in his office. “They saw me as an expert in forestry and science, came to me with questions and valued my opinion.”

 

Citizen and business members of the two organizations Kamrowski worked for also came to him with questions about current legislation, such as the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan. He met several members of the EPA and the Secretary of the Department of Energy, and had a meeting with the president/CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. Connections made through the internship resulted in several job offers, including one with the Biomass Thermal Energy Council.

 

Kamrowski spent the final week of his internship in Congressman Ron Kind’s office, communicating with constituents in Wisconsin and leading tours of the U.S. Capitol.

 

“In D.C., there are so many resources,” Kamrowski said. “I tried to capitalize on that and make connections.”

 

The internship in D.C. had long been a goal for Kamrowski, who has focused on building his resume since he began studying at UW-Stevens Point. Between his first and second years, he spent three- weeks on a study abroad trip to Kenya to help with sustainable energy and community development. That experience helped him earn the Washington, D.C. internships, which he hopes will lead to more international experiences, graduate school and other professional and political opportunities.

 

While the internships were unpaid, he had saved up in advance, earned a stipend for living expenses and shared housing with fellow interns to save money.

 

“It was an invaluable experience,” said Kamrowski. Students who are studying policy should do all they can to get to Washington, D.C. then see and do all they can while there, he said.

 

“The biggest eye opener for me was that I thought science could determine policy, but it doesn’t,” Kamrowski said. “What is needed is good policy makers to back up the science and value it.”