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Hey y’all! My name is Lauryn— I’m a final-year master's student in Environmental Management, summer intern at NB Power, and unofficial queen of colour-coded spreadsheets.

This summer, I joined the Planning team at NB Power, where I learned that "environmental documentation" is both a serious responsibility and, occasionally, a thrilling scavenger hunt through old SharePoint folders. I came in hoping to learn more about environmental planning in action, and left knowing what to do if there's a spill, how to prep for an audit without crying (mostly), and that teamwork really does make the dream work—even if the dream is just finding the right version of a procedure file.

I found this internship while doom-scrolling job boards between school projects, tests and caffeine crashes. NB Power stood out to me since I have worked here before in my earlier bachelor years when I was taking my undergrad in forestry. Although this time around, I’d been looking for a role that would connect my education with environmental policy to real-world practice, and this was the perfect match. Plus, there was a hint of mystery to it—what exactly is “planning” in a utility company? (Spoiler: it involves a lot of smart people making sure things don’t go kaboom or leak into the environment all the while advocating for birds and wildlife. I was in.)

Once I started, I hit the ground running—right into a jungle of documents, logs, and emergency drill protocols. My main responsibilities included updating environmental procedures, managing spill files, prepping for audits, and supporting emergency response drills. One day I was elbow-deep in old audit records, and the next I was sitting in a meeting learning how to respond if a bird ever decided to make use of a transformer to build their nest and caused a hazardous materials leak. I learned how to navigate SharePoint like a pro, build logs that made sense, and coordinate between teams who were all juggling a plethora of priorities—shoutout to everyone who answered my emails with patience and humor.

My best standout moment? Though there were many, I’d likely choose the environmental drill where I got to witness the team go full Mission: Impossible mode. Phones started ringing, protocols were followed to the letter, and I stood there realizing that everything I’d helped prepare—those tidy little binders and laminated procedures—mattered. Another unforgettable moment: when I asked for “the latest version” of a document and got sent five versions, all marked FINAL in all caps. It was a moment of chaos, but also the day I became emotionally invested in version control.

This experience gave me some serious skills—yes, technical ones like document control, data management, and learning how to prep for audits without losing my mind. But also, soft skills, like professional communication (i.e., learning how to politely chase people down for signatures), teamwork, time management, and the very underrated ability to stay calm when the printer jams at the worst possible time.

This internship changed the game for me. It showed me that I love working at the intersection of policy, planning, and practical action. I now see myself pursuing a career in environmental compliance or sustainability coordination—something where I can geek out over procedures but also collaborate with passionate people to protect the environment.

My advice for other students? Don’t just apply to the “cool sounding” jobs. Sometimes the behind-the-scenes roles (like Planning) are where the real action is. Be proactive, be curious, and say yes to opportunities even if they sound a little dry, chances are, you’ll find humor, growth, and maybe even a little chaos. Oh, and keep track of everything. Future you will thank you when audit season comes around.

Massive thanks to NB Power and the entire Planning team for making me feel like part of the crew, for answering my 10,000 questions, and for giving me a summer that was equal parts educational and hilarious. I’m so excited to take what I’ve learned into the workforce—and maybe one day back to NB Power, ideally with fewer spreadsheets and more coffee!