Did you know that the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination is overseeing the implementation of three climate action plans, four community-facing programs, and over 60 strategies to reach its environmental goals? Until I began my summer 2024 internship opportunity with OEEC and learned about climate action within the county, I had no idea.

 My name is Rosalia Coz, and over the course of my internship I learned about Fairfax County’s environmental ambitions and how OEEC is making those ambitions a reality. I’ve known that I wanted to work in the environmental field ever since I first learned about climate change in the fifth grade. In early elementary school I joined the after-school environmental club and persuaded my parents to begin recycling. I owe credit to my mom, who is a biology teacher and a gardener. She spent her summers entertaining my brother and I by taking us to state parks, helping us plant our own vegetables, and fostering my appreciation for the natural environment. When I applied to Virginia Tech, declaring my major was an easy decision. I will be graduating with a degree in Environmental Policy and Planning and a minor in Pathways to Sustainability in May of 2025.

I learned about this internship opportunity through my academic advisor who forwarded the details to students in my major. This internship sounded like the perfect opportunity for me to contribute what I’d learned about environmental policy, planning, and community engagement through my coursework at Virginia Tech. What I didn’t know is how well OEEC’s work and staff would mirror my ambition to make a difference in our world. My entire life I have wanted to go down a career path that is impactful, and I’ve always wanted to leave a positive mark on the world through my work. Every staff member in the office has their own area of expertise, but one thing they all have in common is that they’re eager to make positive changes in the Fairfax County community and beyond. One of my favorite examples of this is the work done at Harmony Place. Harmony Place is a community that is extremely vulnerable to extreme heat due to a lack of sufficient air conditioning, or any at all. I admirably watched as my coworkers and volunteers urgently worked together to help this community. Watching this confirmed that this is a career path and an office driven by passion, care, and dedication.

This internship opportunity embodied the phrase “do what you love and love what you do” because this did not feel like work, it felt like fulfilling a passion.

During my time interning at OEEC, I’ve gained an entirely new perspective on how we, as environmentalists, communities, and individuals, can drive positive changes in the world. I knew that climate change was a wicked problem, but working directly with climate and the community has emphasized the need for a holistic approach and a collective effort in solving the climate crisis. Throughout this internship, I’ve worked on a wide variety of sustainability topics including legislation, energy, community programs, and more. I appreciate the broad scope of work of OEEC and the collaborative community that has been created within the office. It is more apparent than ever that driving positive environmental change in our world is a collective effort, and OEEC has taken initiative in collaborating with stakeholders, encouraging participation in the environmental movement, and incorporating equity into their work. My internship experience has been nothing less than perfect, and I am confident that I am walking away with valuable experiences, connections, and new ambitions.

 

Rosalia Coz is a rising senior at Virginia Tech studying Environmental Policy and Planning. She was an intern here at OEEC and is interning for the VT Office of Sustainability as a Communications Representative for the Energy Team. She has always been interested in environmental sustainability and enjoy solving complex environmental problems. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, traveling, and spending time with friends!

 

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.