F&M Stories
Where Does the Environment Meet Policy? In This F&M Senior's Internship
This story is part of our #FandMForward series documenting our students' and recent grads' resilience, adaptability and perseverance in navigating the obstacles that the COVID-19 pandemic has presented.
As a dual major in environmental studies and public policy, an internship involving environmental policy seemed serendipitous for senior Lauren Costabile.
"This opportunity was right up my alley," she said.
That opportunity was with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), a nonprofit organization headquartered in Annapolis, Md., devoted to the restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay. Costabile was to work at the Harrisburg, Pa., branch; however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the in-person opportunity was moved online.
"CBF did a fantastic job helping me feel welcomed and a part of the team even though we were working remotely," she said.
As a legal intern, Costabile completed research to support future policy initiatives. Her favorite part of the internship was working on mitigating pollution from agriculture, an area she said she always found fascinating.
Costabile said F&M classes such as ENE 216: Environmental Policy, GOV 200: Understanding Public Policy, and ENE 314 / GOV 374: Global Environmental Politics helped develop her skills in writing and assessing policy as well as engaging in conversations about the environment on national and global scales.
The Office of Student and Post-Graduate Development (OSPGD) was a helpful resource, as well. Costabile discovered this internship opportunity through an OSPGD contact and also met with Ashley Fry, student development adviser, who helped her assess additional opportunities and prepare for interviews.
With graduation on the horizon, Costabile's vision of her career plans is becoming clearer due to her F&M and CBF experiences.
"I feel proud working for an organization that has ignited so much change," she said. "I can definitely see myself working in this field of environmental nonprofits."
Related Articles
November 11, 2026
From Getting Back on Track to Giving Back: Josh Brown ’28
For Josh Brown ’28, repeated trips to his hometown sports medicine physician gave him more than a path back to competition. They gave him a path toward his future. Now a biology major at F&M, Brown is working toward becoming a physician assistant (PA). “I wanted to be able to make that same difference in people’s lives,” Brown said.
November 9, 2026
From Lancaster Streams to Canadian Lakes: Stephanie Sexton ’27 Puts Science into Action
When she arrived at F&M, Stephanie Sexton ’27 knew she wanted to study environmental science and engage in hands-on fieldwork. This summer, she turned that ambition into action, helping drive cutting-edge initiatives in F&M’s backyard while contributing to a multi-year research project abroad.
November 2, 2026
Career Center Connection Opens Doors at JPMorgan Chase
Thanks to a strategic connection made at F&M's Center for Career and Professional Development, Vinh Dinh ’27 secured a full-time position at JPMorgan Chase. “Knowing my post-graduation path is secure allows me to focus fully on maximizing my final year at F&M,” said Dinh.