Summer Internship Spotlight: Kairavi Gardé, National Geographic Society

Kairavi Gardé, a third-year student majoring in environmental sciences and sociology, recently completed a 10-week internship with the National Geographic Society in Washington, D.C.

Founded in 1888, the National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit organization that supports scientists, educators, and storytellers who conduct research and lead conservation programs. It is most widely recognized for its iconic flagship magazine, National Geographic.

Gardé served as an alumni engagement intern with the organization’s education and community engagement team. Her primarily responsibilities included co-creating impact stories and supporting youth and educator programs.

“Sometimes, I was learning from experienced educators about how their work with the Society had changed their paths and creating immersive StoryMaps with the stories they shared,” Gardé said. “Other times, I was analyzing qualitative data or collecting it through surveys.”

We recently caught up with Gardé to discuss her internship with the National Geographic Society. Check out the Q&A below to learn more about her experience and how it’s contributed to her professional journey.

How did you find out about this internship and why were you interested in it?

Kairavi Gardé: I took a peek at the National Geographic Society’s internships when they became available online. The Society does amazing work in interdisciplinary fields: human histories and culture come to mind, alongside biodiversity conservation and environmental research. But beyond that, the organization values creativity and storytelling as powerful tools in conservation work. As someone deeply invested in the arts, I love that the organization views science and art as equals and frequently combines the two. 

Additionally, like many, I grew up reading and watching National Geographic media about scientific discovery. But I also had a strong interest in the education and community engagement team after seeing all of the partnerships they leverage, from their co-hosted externship with the Nature Conservancy to their Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship with Lindblad Expeditions. The number one thing I took away from prior research in the College of Natural Resources was that interdisciplinary and cross-sector partnerships are vital for change, so when I saw how heavily the Society emphasized co-creation and partnership in their work, I really wanted to contribute to that work. 

What was the most interesting or surprising part of this internship experience?

Gardé: The people were the most interesting and thoroughly wonderful part of this internship by far. Each day, I was working with caring, talented, action-oriented leaders, be it youth, staff or educators. Each person I spoke to was welcoming and excited to get to know me; regardless of their accomplishments, they were down-to-Earth and grounded in their values, inspiring and elevating me through their kindness. 

Another surprise was how fast the pace of the internship was. We accomplished so much in just 10 weeks, and new side-projects and tasks were always popping up, keeping our team engaged and pushing us to stay connected across multiple platforms. I absolutely loved it. The dynamic, deeply collaborative work culture perfectly clicked with my workflow. 

How did the College of Natural Resources prepare you for this internship?

Gardé: I truly believe I could not have secured or completed the internship without my experience in Bethany Cutts’ Location Matters Lab in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management. Under her guidance, and alongside graduate student Kayla Gilligan, I researched authentic representation in water governance across North Carolina under the context of disaster resilience and recovery. I learned how to work across different cultures in the environmental space, gained practical skills in semi-structured interviewing and qualitative research, and built my ability to analyze complex issues through a socio-environmental lens, all of which were key in my internships. 

Another pivotal learning from the College of Natural Resources came from my experience in Stacy Supak’s Geographic Information System (GIS) course. Having familiarity with ArcGIS Online was highly useful to me as I worked with National Geographic Society staff and educators to create StoryMaps. I also have to shout-out the College of Humanities and Social Sciences; much of the work I completed was sociological in nature. At one point, the qualitative analysis I completed for my role nearly mirrored a sociology assignment I’d completed under Jamie Puglin, my sociology professor and advisor. Both colleges equipped me with key skills and knowledge that I needed to succeed in the internship.

What are your long-term goals and how does this internship factor in?

Gardé: At the moment, I’m interested in work that seeks community-centered solutions for environmental problems, like conservation education and cultural stewardship. Beyond that, I’m also curious about environmental law and how we can build legal frameworks that protect the environment while also prioritizing human communities and socioeconomic development. 

My work over the summer helped me explore the breadth of environmental and conservation work through the eyes of the “changemakers” on the frontlines: youth, young adults and educators that are initiating positive change in their local communities. I have a deeper understanding of what creating environmental change in harmony with the communities most impacted looks like, and I have developed a holistic understanding of how key partnerships, foundational knowledge, and external resources work together to create change, especially under a nonprofit structure. But I also learned about many unorthodox, global conservation efforts and how different countries and communities around the world approach environmental work, providing me with unique perspectives that could be translated into a newly effective legal framework for environmental change. 

Regardless of my final career path, I’m interested in working with a global focus. Receiving the opportunity to build my own global community this summer was invaluable and heartwarming, and I look forward to reconnecting with my new friends as my work continues to push me to explore. 

What advice would you give students who are looking for internships?

Gardé: Pour effort into your relationships, and seek diverse connections and opportunities. Your experience, network, ability to tell your own story, and ultimately a bit of luck is what will get you where you want to go. By pursuing a breadth of experiences and activating my network, I found a role that both fit my skillset and values well. Apply to things you don’t feel qualified for, but also set your expectations accordingly, and treat each application process as a chance to learn. If you don’t receive an opportunity, ask why, and if you do, ask why.

I have some more specific tips I’d love to share, and I’ll be working with other experienced students to share them this year (for free, with refreshments included). If you’re interested in learning more and joining a community within the College of Natural Resources to grow professionally and personally, join the CNR Connect GroupMe.