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Ellora Kelly

Ellora Kelly is studying Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) majoring in Renewable Energy Systems, and a Bachelor of Science with a double major in Marine Science and Biodiversity Conservation.

Where did you complete your internship?

I completed my internship at the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ).

Why did you decide to apply for an internship? 

I applied for an internship because it was one of the course options available to complete the Conservation Management and Policy component of my science major. Among the various internship opportunities that aligned with my interests, this stood out as a valuable chance to apply my studies in a real-world setting and broaden my learning experience. Having previously completed an engineering internship; I understood how such experiences bridge the gap between academic knowledge and industry practice. Additionally, the opportunity to build confidence in navigating unfamiliar environments made this decision an easy one.

How was the process? What was the level of support from the college/university?

The process was very straightforward and easy to follow. While on exchange in Germany, I discovered that this subject was an option for one of my science majors. I found the expression of interest link on the College of Science website and submitted my CV along with a one-page statement of interest for each internship opportunity I was interested in. The application process was simple since it was all managed through the College of Science, and the potential organizations I applied to were very accommodating of my being overseas. Any interviews and meetings with potential supervisors were conducted via Zoom. The College of Science was also highly responsive and provided great support, promptly addressing any questions I had throughout the process.

Did you end up with the specific internship opportunity that you were after? Were there others that you were interested in?

This internship course offered a wide range of opportunities to apply for. Students could apply for up to three placements, with the goal of securing one. I knew there were also external internship options, but I found many of the available opportunities interesting and had a hard time narrowing my choices down to three. I was successful in securing interviews for two of the placements I applied for and ultimately chose EIANZ, which was my top preference.

What really appealed to me about this internship was its ability to bridge my Engineering and Science degrees. It had a clear focus on clean energy and biodiversity conservation. Before this, I hadn’t considered how to integrate my degrees in a policy or clean energy context, and this experience opened my eyes to how these disciplines intersect in policy and impact assessment.

Can you describe a day in your life as an intern?

My internship was the first of its kind at EIANZ, where I was tasked with supporting the annual Impact Assessment Symposium in Brisbane. My responsibilities included creating an initial evidence base for EIANZ, consolidating insights and best practices, and drafting a communiqué and position statement to help inform government policy and regulatory changes.

Every Tuesday, I would catch the bus to my supervisor’s office near the airport. It was a very small office, so it was just my supervisor, another intern (who was working for End Food Waste Australia), and me. At the start of the day, we would have a check-in meeting with my other supervisor, one of the main organizers of the symposium, to review my tasks for the day and the coming weeks. I then spent the day researching, attending workshops, reading articles and speeches, expanding my background knowledge, and drafting or refining communiqué and position statement drafts.

My two EIANZ supervisors were incredibly supportive, providing feedback on my drafts, arranging meetings, and conducting mini one-on-one workshops to help me develop my writing skills, understand stakeholder mapping, and gain insight into working in the industry.

The first half of my internship focused on understanding the “green vs. green” tension—balancing new clean energy project approvals with environmental, social, and cultural considerations. I worked on drafting a communiqué alongside senior EIANZ members, which would later be refined after the symposium.

In Week 6, I flew to Brisbane to attend the symposium. Over two days, I participated in workshops and presentations with 220 environmental professionals, took notes, and engaged in discussions. On the final evening, the communiqué was completed and submitted for board approval.

The final six weeks of my internship were spent back in the office, preparing a draft of the position statement. This involved further meetings, additional research, and integrating insights gathered from the symposium.

Biggest achievement and/or most memorable experience from your internship?

The most memorable experience from my internship was attending the symposium. It gave me firsthand exposure to the complexities of government policy, competing demands, and the challenge of balancing sustainable innovation with environmental conservation. The speeches sparked insightful discussions and gave me the opportunity to connect with environmental professionals during breaks, learning from their experiences and passions.

I consider my biggest achievement to be developing the communiqué, which captured key insights from the symposium. I collaborated with multiple working groups, all composed of senior EIANZ members with extensive industry experience in impact assessment. My supervisors also provided writing workshops before the symposium, which helped me refine my skills. As a result, I was able to produce a well-structured piece that was published on the EIANZ website and distributed to the organization's 4,000 members. Seeing my writing and knowledge develop to a standard that required only minor revisions from the board was incredibly rewarding. I am hugely grateful for the support I received in reaching that level.

Do you believe this internship will help you achieve your career goals? If yes, how?

Absolutely! This internship allowed me to apply my knowledge and gain practical experience in a real-world setting. Before this, I had never considered linking my renewable energy engineering and biodiversity conservation science degrees. The exposure to key challenges in clean energy and policy development, as well as the complexities involved, was incredibly enlightening.

The experience also highlighted the importance of communication and stakeholder engagement in driving progress and innovation. I learned how clear communication—or its absence—can significantly impact decision-making and industry advancements. While I’m still unsure if I want to pursue a long-term career in policy, this internship reinforced my understanding of how policy shapes industries, governments, and communities.

Ultimately, this experience reaffirmed my passion for project-based work that directly engages with communities rather than policy implementation and high-level impact assessment. However, internships like this are invaluable, even if they simply provide clarity on what you do or don’t enjoy. Regardless of the specific career path, they always help build transferable skills.

What would you say to future students about pursuing a science internship?

Go for it! There are so many opportunities to apply your knowledge in ways you may not have considered. Gaining industry exposure and following your interests will help you develop vital skills that are transferable to any career or life path.

While stepping into an internship can feel daunting at first, pushing yourself outside your comfort zone fosters confidence and resilience. Learning how to communicate effectively with those who can support you and being authentically yourself will help you make the most of your experience. An internship is not just about career development—it’s about discovering new possibilities and growing both professionally and personally.

What do you enjoy doing with your free time?

I love being outdoors, staying active, and connecting with nature. Whether it’s going for a run around Ainslie, surfing back home, having a kick in the park with mates, or camping with my siblings, I enjoy breathing in the fresh air and immersing myself in the world around me.

I’m also a big sports fan, so training and exercising take up a lot of my time. However, I also love spending time with friends and traveling whenever I get the chance—it’s a great way to unwind and experience new things!

Why did you choose ANU?

I chose ANU because of the flexibility of the double degree program, which allowed me to combine my diverse interests. I was also drawn to the opportunity to live on campus at an affordable rate, fully immersing myself in the university experience.

Studying at ANU has helped me develop independence and step outside my comfort zone, allowing me to make friends from all over the country and take advantage of the many opportunities the university has to offer.

What do you like most about your student experience so far?

I have been incredibly fortunate to have many highlights throughout my student experience.

Firstly, going on exchange to Munich was genuinely one of the best years of my life. I made friends from all over the world, pushed myself outside my comfort zone by moving to a country where I didn’t speak the language, learned German, picked up snowboarding, and took full advantage of the student experiences my university there had to offer.

Living at Fenner Hall was another standout experience. I participated in interhall sports, ran IB, and formed lifelong friendships. Being part of such a large yet close-knit, family-like community was truly special.

ANU’s field-based courses have also been unforgettable, particularly trips to the Great Barrier Reef and Nepal. Connecting firsthand with diverse communities and natural environments has been a real highlight of my time at ANU.

Did you receive any prizes/scholarships while studying at ANU?

Yes, I received the All-Rounders Scholarship, which helped me begin my studies at ANU. This year, I was also privileged to receive the Ian Ross Honours Engineering Scholarship. Additionally, I have been awarded two Half-Blue awards for sporting achievements at the national level.

What's next after you complete your study?

To be completely honest, I’m still figuring it out! I graduate in June this year and currently work part-time with an engineering construction company on the light rail upgrade.

Before deciding on my next step, I’d love to travel more. I’m considering moving back to Germany for further study, heading to Perth for the beaches and sports, or finding an exciting opportunity overseas where I can bridge my engineering and marine science/biodiversity conservation degrees.

I have a wide range of interests, and I feel fortunate that ANU’s strong reputation will hopefully keep doors open for various career paths.

What is your favorite thing about living in Canberra?

The connectivity of the city. Everything is so close—Canberra is small enough that you can get anywhere quickly and be surrounded by nature, yet big enough to offer plenty of opportunities and activities.

One of my favorite things is how seamlessly urban life and nature coexist. You can be on Black Mountain, surrounded by kangaroos and feeling like you're in the middle of the outback, then run 5km and find yourself in the heart of Civic. It truly is the bush capital.

Anything else you would like to share?

This experience really solidified the importance of being authentically yourself and embracing opportunities. The people you meet and the conversations you have are just as valuable as the technical skills you develop. There is so much to learn from those around you.

My biggest takeaway is to genuinely be yourself and connect with people and communities on both an intellectual and personal level. Be a sponge—soak in all the stories and experiences you can, because you never know where you might end up or what you might discover you enjoy!

Find out more about science internships.