Aramark has launched an Environmental Internship Program designed to meet a growing need for employees who have a practical understanding of environmental initiatives plus fundamental business knowledge. The program provides young professionals with corporate experience and creates an awareness of the role environmental stewardship can play in all jobs.
“Environmental practices can be incorporated into virtually any job, and through the Aramark Environmental Internship Program we can help develop employees who make the connection between the work that they do, and its impact on the environment and on our business,” says Rick Martella, Aramark's vice president for business affairs. “Embedding these internships in key roles across the company will provide environmental knowledge and skills that are not confined to a single position or type of job, and can be easily shared.”
Aramark partnered with the Student Conservation Association (SCA) to develop the program and identify applicants. SCA, which has significant experience recruiting and hiring environmental interns for federal agencies and non-profit organizations, helped select 10 young professionals for its inaugural class. It also helped Aramark in the development of training materials for the interns.
The 10 interns, who are pursuing degrees, or have recently graduated from college, have been hired at Aramark locations in the higher education, conference center, national park, B&I and convention center segments. In these roles, the interns will collaborate internally and with clients to offer expertise and practical solutions to help them meet their environmental commitments in a variety of areas, including purchasing, waste management, building operations and energy and water conservation.
The internships began in March, and will continue for six months.