Written by Jane Holloman, OEEC 2025 Communications Intern
Spending eight months with Fairfax County’s Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (OEEC) gave me a front-row seat to how local government drives real climate action. As a communications intern and a graduate student studying strategic communication at George Mason University (GMU), I had the chance to translate complex climate topics into accessible messages, learn from dedicated public servants and see how theory from the classroom comes to life in day-to-day work.
In this blog, I share what I learned — from meeting the team and honing my writing and design skills, to understanding how thoughtful communication can support a more sustainable, resilient Fairfax County.
Getting to Know OEEC
My internship with OEEC began in May 2025 with an exceptionally welcoming introduction to the team. During my first two weeks, I met individually with every staff member to learn about their roles, professional backgrounds, and experiences working within the county. These conversations provided a valuable orientation not only to the structure and mission of the office but also to the diverse perspectives that shape its work. Many colleagues offered career guidance, insights into other county divisions, or broader reflections on navigating life and career challenges. Meeting each member of the team and hearing about their experiences was such a valuable part of my experience working with the county and I am so grateful for the relationships that I formed.
As I became more immersed in my responsibilities with the Communications Team, I gained a deeper understanding of how local governments communicate about sustainability and engage residents in climate action. Early on, I learned the foundations of strategic messaging through drafting social copy, writing blog content, and helping design engagement emails. These tasks required me to turn complex climate concepts, such as extreme heat trends, electric vehicle adoption and home energy efficiency, into concise, accessible content. I also saw firsthand how communication strategy is shaped by audience needs and the constantly shifting policy environment.
Turning Climate Science into Clear, Accessible Messages
This experience provided excellent opportunities to implement concepts from my Communication Master’s degree program at GMU, and I developed an appreciation for the role of behavioral science and communication theory in environmental outreach. Week after week, I found myself applying theoretical concepts from my coursework, like social norms, message repetition, and the importance of trusted messengers, to the practical work I was doing. Whether deciding how to frame emails for early adopters in the Sustain Fairfax Challenge, brainstorming social media strategies, or thinking through potential unintended effects of sustainability messaging, I practiced using theory to inform everyday communication choices.
Building Practical Skills in Writing, Design and Digital Engagement
Throughout the internship, I also strengthened a range of practical skills that will support my future career. I practiced writing across multiple formats, including blogs, press releases, email campaigns, web content, and SEO terms, and I improved my ability to adapt tone, length, and complexity for different audiences. I gained hands-on experience with readability editing, digital engagement tools, and graphic design through projects like updating the informational handouts and creating graphics for social posts. I also learned to collaborate with program managers, public information officers, and communications staff to develop ideas and refine content. Opportunities such as touring county buildings retrofitted for optimal energy efficiency and attending meetings on topics like invasive species and climate-resilient native trees broadened my understanding of local environmental work beyond communication alone.
Ultimately, this internship shaped my confidence in local government as a powerful driver of environmental progress. Seeing the dedication of the OEEC staff, even amid federal rollbacks and political uncertainty, showed me the impact that passionate public servants can have on the county level. I leave this experience not only with stronger writing, research, design, and strategic communication skills, but with renewed optimism about my professional path. The combination of practical experience, mentorship, and theoretical grounding has prepared me to step into future roles in sustainability, environmental communication, or government service with a deeper sense of purpose.
Jane Holloman served as an intern with the Communications Team from May to December 2025. Her primary role was providing communication and outreach support on the county's three comprehensive climate plans and the Sustain Fairfax campaign. Jane is a Communication Master’s student at George Mason University. Passionate about the power of local government action on environmental issues and the intersection of environment and public health, she hopes to continue working in environmental communication within the nonprofit or local government sectors after graduating with her Master's in 2026.
Climate Matters is the blog of Fairfax County’s Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination, where we share stories, insights and information related to climate change and environmental sustainability. Posts are written by knowledgeable and passionate OEEC staff members and guest authors. To read all blog posts, visit Climate Matters.