Four students from Stony Brook University have been chosen to participate in the New York Climate Exchange Summer Internship Program. This program includes 13 undergraduate students from various partner universities nationwide. Running from June 23 to August 15, the eight-week internship provides participants with opportunities to collaborate with climate experts and community leaders on environmental challenges.
Kevin Reed, Stony Brook’s associate provost for climate and sustainability programming and chief climate scientist at The Exchange, stated, “This internship represents a significant opportunity for our students to gain hands-on experience in climate action while making meaningful contributions to New York communities.” He added that the selection of four students underscores the university's dedication to climate education and leadership.
The program is designed as a full-time internship that merges practical work experience with educational activities and professional development. From Monday through Thursday, interns will engage in projects with their assigned community partners under supervision. Fridays are reserved for group educational sessions, skills development, community service, and field trips. Catherine Sherman, assistant dean of the University Honors Programs at Stony Brook, noted, “The combination of specialized placement work and cohort learning activities creates a comprehensive experience that prepares students for careers in climate action.”
Stony Brook participants come from diverse academic backgrounds including engineering, political science, and environmental studies. Pan highlighted the value of interdisciplinary approaches: “I am most excited for this summer to see the ways different people with different expertise work on climate solutions; I see a responsibility as an aspiring engineer to work to serve the environment and ensure that people have access to clean resources.”
Another participant, Iftikhar, whose placement is at Waterfront Alliance, connects her studies in political science and economics with real-world applications: “Too often, environmentalism is viewed solely through a scientific lens—centered around technical solutions to fight the climate crisis. But for me, environmentalism is so much broader.”
Beyond project work, interns will complete a capstone project in groups which aims to foster future climate leaders by drawing on their varied backgrounds. Reed emphasized that this experience goes beyond a typical summer job: “It’s an investment in students who will be shaping climate policy and solutions for decades to come.”