My Experience as an Increasing Diversity in Environmental Careers (IDEC) Intern

By Ena Vigil, Increasing Diversity in Environmental Careers Fellow in 2024.

For many, it’s not often the case that a typical day of work in the summertime could include spending the day on a lake. For an aquatic invasive species intern though, this is all in a day’s work. Having the opportunity to work alongside experts as an aquatic invasive species intern with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has been an incredible opportunity my younger self could only dream of. Growing up in Colorado I found myself a lover of both nature and science and I knew I wanted to pursue a career dedicated to serving my community. This combination of goals and desires led me to earning my Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Policy and Management from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Throughout this experience one of the most influential forces was my involvement in the Increasingly Diversity in Environmental Careers (IDEC) program facilitated by Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa in conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Board of Water and Soil Resources. Having the opportunity to visit and engage with professionals established in the field not only allowed me to observe the roles and duties of the agencies but to connect with experts one on one and learn about their unique journeys. Further having the opportunity for a placement within one of the agencies was crucial in building my confidence in the workforce. Throughout school I often underestimated my own ability to adapt and working as an intern gave me the opportunity to apply my skills gained throughout undergrad and stretch my wings learning new things and visiting new places. Our duties as interns often included preparing and counting zebra mussel veliger samples, aiding in point intercept plant surveys, conducting zebra mussel inspections, data entry and management, and working outreach events. These skills required learning and gaining proficiency which takes time but ultimately made me feel more capable. his experience has allowed me to embrace being new to something and to feel more comfortable stepping into a field where passion drives the work. Additionally, through this experience I’ve made lasting friendships and connections that have helped me feel supported as I continue my journey in the workforce. I am so incredibly grateful for all the hard work contributed by so many and to anyone curious about applying to an environmental career focused program, do not be afraid to be new, let your curiosity bring you to places unseen.