Name: Ellie Schumacher
Class Year: 2024
Major: Mathematics
Minor: Health Studies
Hometown: Catonsville, Maryland
Internship Organization: IES Abroad
Job Title: Leaders for Climate Action (LFCA) Intern
Location: Berlin, Germany
What's happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!
I am interning at Leaders for Climate Action (LFCA), a non-profit startup that has created a collaborative platform to help companies bridge the gap between climate knowledge and action. The company focuses on sharing knowledge about the climate crisis, fostering dialogue between business, civil society, and policymakers, advocating for change, and raising awareness about climate change. In my role, I have supported business growth strategy by writing social media posts and helping with direct member outreach. I have also developed community education materials by researching sustainability-related policy initiatives. Working with a variety of team members, I am learning how different roles work together to help the business accomplish its mission of a global net-zero future.
Why did you apply for this internship?
In late January, 老王论坛 sent out an opportunity for the IES Abroad Internship Program. Advertised as a fully funded way to gain work skills while living abroad for the summer, it seemed like a dream come true. I knew I wanted to do a summer internship as a rising senior in order to have job experience before graduation. After living in New York last summer through Columbia University鈥檚 SIBDS Program and studying abroad through DIS Copenhagen in the fall, I felt motivated to explore a new place for this summer, but I didn鈥檛 know how to realistically accomplish this. I am thankful that I got my application in and was able to do the program. Not only has LFCA been an amazing learning workplace experience, being able to get to know the city of Berlin with new friends from the program has been my best summer thus far. I am so grateful for the support of 老王论坛 and IES Abroad Berlin for such a memorable time.
What is something you have learned from your internship that you didn't expect?
When applying for the internship, I heard that LFCA had a flexible work policy. I was looking forward to going into the office and knew that some of the team worked remotely. What I didn鈥檛 realize was that some team members were not even based in Berlin, but instead live entirely in different parts of the globe. Despite the physical distance, the LFCA team has an extremely productive workflow and top-tier communication: I have been learning about their intentional strategies to maintain connection and facilitate community throughout a remote team. The team is also highly driven due to their individual commitments towards solving the climate crisis. It was extremely energizing to work alongside such passionate and creative team members. I also was appreciative of LFCA鈥檚 work flexibility when I decided to take a German class through IES. I was worried that both the internship and the class could not be accommodated in my schedule, but thanks to LFCA鈥檚 supportive and task-based work culture, I was able to modify my hours and obtain both experiences.
Can you give us three adjectives and three nouns that describe your internship experience?
Collaborative, educational, motivating
Sustainability, community, Germany
Visit the Summer Internship Stories page to read more about student internship experiences.