My internship Stint with the Climate and the Cryosphere (CliC) International Project Office (IPO) was an exciting experience that blended personal and professional development. Throughout my internship, I was surrounded by a vibrant atmosphere where I could pick the brains of seasoned scientists, grow my professional network, and work on worthwhile projects.
My favourite part of my internship was going to the Vienna conference to form a new working group on focused on mountain cryospheres. Scientists and researchers from all over the world came together for this event with the shared goal of learning more about the Earth’s cryosphere and climate systems. As a member of the IPO team, I assisted with session preparation and facilitation, presentation content summaries, and gathering insightful information for upcoming communications. In addition to being instructive, the experience inspired me because I got to see directly the enthusiasm and commitment of experts trying to comprehend and lessen climate change.
I enjoyed a great deal of autonomy at CliC, which presented both challenges and rewards. Despite being an intern, I was encouraged to make independent decisions as long as I first discussed them with my supervisor. I was able to take charge of my projects and grow in my sense of responsibility because of this degree of trust. Rebranding CliC’s Instagram and Meta social media accounts was one of these projects. I made informative and aesthetically pleasing posts showcasing field trips and research findings after interacting with scientists to get their permission to use their media.
I helped implement AirTable as a new internal communication system to enhance data management and streamline workflows in addition to managing social media. As part of this work, I had to create databases to keep track of ongoing projects, oversee the CliC newsletter, and keep track of grantees and fellowship recipients. Putting AirTable into practice improved my technical abilities and made me realise how crucial good organisational communication is.
One of the most important parts of my internship was networking. Meeting and interacting with scientists and professionals from a range of organisations, such as the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), the CliC Scientific Steering Group (SSG), the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), and the Mountain Research Initiative (MRI), was made possible by the Vienna conference. I was able to broaden my professional network and acquire insightful knowledge about the most recent advancements in cryosphere research as a result of these interactions. Getting a job offer from the World Monetary Organisation in Geneva was one of the most amazing results of my networking endeavours. I was able to demonstrate my abilities and enthusiasm for communication science to important figures from the organisation at the conference, which ultimately led to this wonderful opportunity. This event served as a reminder of the value of networking and how it can lead to new career opportunities.
Upon reflection of my internship, I am appreciative of CliC’s supportive environment and educational opportunities. My experience was further enhanced by the kindness and generosity of all the people I worked with in sharing their knowledge. My professional development was aided by the autonomy I was granted, and the cooperative environment promoted a sense of community and cooperation. My internship at CliC was a life-changing opportunity that gave me real-world experience, broadened my professional network, and improved my comprehension of the opportunities and difficulties in communicating climate science. I heartily recommend CliC to students thinking about doing an internship in this field because of its encouraging atmosphere, the freedom it grants, and the priceless networking opportunities it presents.