Environmental science major lands internship with United States Geological Survey

Environmental science major Melanie Medrano has long aspired to work in the federal government, in a role she describes as being on the front lines of creating meaningful environmental change. She took a major step towards that goal by starting an internship with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), where she will assist in their communication efforts through December 2025.  

USGS provides a range of data and expertise on earth sciences, water, biology, and mapping to aid decisions on environmental and public safety issues. At USGS’s National Climate Adaptation Science Center, Medrano supports two principal investigators (PIs) working on the Resist-Accept-Direct (RAD) framework. This decision-making tool helps resource managers develop informed strategies for responding to ecological transformations within landscapes caused by climate change. In her communications role, Medrano is helping expand the reach of the RAD framework beyond the USGS by supporting the launch of newsletters, producing case studies that highlight real-world applications of the RAD framework in different transforming landscapes, and interviewing scientists and managers who are implementing or researching RAD.

Although her internship is fully remote, a format Medrano said aids in the balancing of her workload with coursework, she met the team in-person this past summer in at the USGS headquarters in Reston, VA. Since beginning her internship in February, Medrano said her mentors have already taught her a great deal about the importance of engaging in interagency conversations and how to communicate science in ways that are both clear and meaningful. Her experience with USGS has so far reinforced a key lesson: learning never stops. 

One of the most significant takeaways, she noted, is the greater understanding of how science informs decision-making across various branches of the federal government, including the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Defense. Medrano’s work with the USGS, combined with her environmental studies, offers her a comprehensive view of what’s possible when classroom learning is applied to real-world challenges. 

Medrano said Environmental Science and Policy professor Younsung Kim played a central role in securing her internship, helping with the application process and facilitating communications between her and USGS.

“It was definitely an opportunity I couldn’t miss,” Medrano said. “Dr. Kim always pushes students to gain real world experience. She would constantly share opportunities with us, and one of those opportunities was the USGS program.” 

Just as impactful, she says, was the encouragement she received from a close friend and fellow Mason student already in the program. “She gave me the push I needed to apply,” Medrano said. “That kind of peer support reflects the culture at Mason.”

 A first-generation college student, Medrano chose to study at George Mason because of its diversity and proximity to Washington, D.C. She is actively involved on campus, serving as the multimedia director of the Hispanic Latina Leadership Alliance (HLLA) handling outreach to Hispanic students on campus. She is also the social media director for the Sycamore Institute branch at George Mason, the first undergraduate Think Tank run entirely by undergraduate students, focused on foreign policy and issues of international security.   

When reflecting on her experience with USGS, the only regret Medrano has is the doubt she had for herself before applying to the internship. Her advice for others who are applying for internships is not to self-restrain based on the skills you feel you might be lacking.

“It’s important to network, especially with your professors,” Medrano said. “Let them know what you’re interested in, because you never know what opportunities might be out there.”

Planning to complete her undergraduate degree this fall; Medrano hopes to gain additional field experience and further her research. She is eager to continue her work within the federal government, with a particular interest in remaining with the USGS.

“I love, I love what they're doing,” she said. “I love what I do right now.”