Q&A with Mae Allen - Sustainability Intern Highlight

Mae Allen is a a senior at the O'Neill School in Indianapolis, majoring in Sustainability Practices and Policies. McKenzie is currently serves at the O'Neill Indianapolis Sustainability Intern, a position supported by the Office of Sustainability and the O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. 

Question: What is your role as a sustainability intern?

Answer: As the O'Neill School sustainability intern, I work on a variety of sustainability projects related to the school, such as greenhouse gas inventories, waste audits, lighting inventories, and more.

Q: What sparked your interest in sustainability?

A: My interest in sustainability began during my senior year of high school. I already had a passion for the environment, which led me to take AP Environmental Science. I fell in love and decided to pursue a degree in sustainability.  

Q: What’s one project or topic you’re especially excited to work on this year?

A: I am very excited to present all of our work and recommendations to the O'Neill Deans in the spring. We have put a lot of work in throughout the past year, and I'm thrilled to be able to show it off!  

Q: What’s a skill or strength you’re developing through this internship?

A: This internship has been extremely helpful in developing my communication skills. A lot of sustainability work is attempting to change and improve the behaviors and systems of an institution. In order to inspire change, it's extremely important to be able to communicate in a way that is understandable and effective!

Q: Outside of class and work, what do you enjoy doing?

A: I love being outside. Some of my favorite activities are hiking, swimming, and outdoor photography. I also enjoy spending time with friends, traveling, and crocheting.

Q: What’s one small sustainability habit or belief you carry into your everyday life?

A:  I always try to use what I already have or buy second-hand instead of buying something new. This can take shape in many different ways, such as reusing salsa jars for iced coffee instead of buying a new cup or using old towels as cleaning rags instead of paper towels. I try to be as creative as I can!