SCA, ARAMARK Launch Environmental Internship Program

(3BL Media / theCSRfeed) May 19, 2011 - PHILADELPHIA, PA - ARAMARK has launched an Environmental Internship Program designed to meet a growing need for employees who have a practical understanding of environmental initiatives plus fundamental business knowledge. The program provides young professionals with corporate experience and creates an awareness of the role environmental stewardship can play in all jobs. ARAMARK is a world leader in professional services, providing award-winning food services, facilities management, and uniform and career apparel to health care institutions, universities and school districts, stadiums and arenas, and businesses around the world.

“Environmental practices can be incorporated into virtually any job, and through the ARAMARK Environmental Internship Program we can help develop employees who make the connection between the work that they do, and its impact on the environment and on our business,” said Rick Martella, ARAMARK Vice President, Business Affairs. “Embedding these internships in key roles across the company will provide environmental knowledge and skills that are not confined to a single position or type of job, and can be easily shared.”

ARAMARK partnered with the Student Conservation Association (SCA) to develop the program and identify applicants who demonstrated strong conservation leadership. SCA, which has significant experience recruiting and hiring environmental interns for federal agencies and non-profit organizations, helped ARAMARK select 10 young professionals for its inaugural class. SCA also helped ARAMARK in the development of training materials for the interns.

“Internships have shifted from an academic need to a career necessity,” noted SCA President Dale Penny. “To compete in today’s market, young job candidates need real experience and a corporate internship provides a genuine, competitive advantage.”

The 10 ARAMARK interns, who are pursuing degrees, or have recently graduated from college, have been hired at several ARAMARK locations, including colleges and universities, conference centers, national parks, businesses and convention centers. In these roles, the interns will collaborate internally and with clients to offer expertise and practical solutions to help clients meet their environmental commitments in a variety of areas, including purchasing, waste management, building operations and energy and water conservation.

At the University of Michigan, Ross School of Business, for example, Rodica Kocur will be responsible for supporting all aspects of a composting program, including research on best practices and potential implementation campus-wide. Intern Michael Seaman will work at the Monterey, California Asilomar Conference Center, assisting with the implementation of an Environmental Management System, and sustainable food and beverage programs.

The internships began in March, and will continue for six months. The program kicked off with a three-day orientation to introduce the interns to ARAMARK and SCA, and provided background on ARAMARK’s corporate responsibility and environmental commitments. Throughout the program, the interns will receive onsite training and support from their managers, as well as feedback and support from the SCA and the corporate environmental team managing the program. Information learned from the interns’ projects will be shared and replicated across ARAMARK.

ARAMARK’s Environmental Internship Program is part of the company’s corporate responsibility commitment. ARAMARK seeks to responsibly address issues that matter to its clients, customers, employees and communities by focusing on employee advocacy, environmental stewardship, health and wellness, and community involvement.

About ARAMARK

ARAMARK, a leader in professional services, has been recognized as the industry leader in FORTUNE magazine's "World's Most Admired Companies," and as one of America's Largest Private Companies by both FORTUNE and Forbes magazines. Headquartered in Philadelphia, ARAMARK has approximately 255,000 employees serving clients in 22 countries.

About the Student Conservation Association:

The SCA is a nationwide conservation force of college and high school-aged members who serve America's parks, forests, refuges, seashores and communities. Since 1957, SCA's active, hands-on practice of conservation service has helped to develop a new generation of conservation leaders, inspire lifelong stewardship, and save the planet. The Student Conservation Association is the nation’s largest non-advocacy environmental organization dedicated to developing tomorrow’s conservation leaders. SCA is a nonprofit organization with offices in Boise, ID, Charlestown, NH, Oakland, CA, Pittsburgh, PA, Seattle, WA and Washington, D.C. For further information, visit www.thesca.org.

The interns and their assignments are as follows:

Rodica Kocur, University of Michigan Ross School of Business, Ann Arbor, MI (Higher Ed, Conference Centers) will be responsible for managing all aspects of a compost program, including research on best practices, feasibility, and potential implementation campus-wide.

Ila Galanti, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL (Higher Education) will be responsible for developing and piloting a “Sustainable Eating” program including education and awareness campaigns to elevate sustainable eating habits.

Laurel Greyson, New York University, NYC (Higher Education) will be responsible for developing and implementing Clean-Air Cool-Planet’s (CA-CP) Carbon Foodprinting project.

Paul Loesch, Baylor University, Waco, TX (Higher Ed Education) will be responsible for working with the facility management and energy management teams to develop and implement an energy engagement program.

Jared Dial, Lake Crescent Lodge, Hurricane Ridge, and Fairholme Store, WA (Parks) will assist with ISO 14001 Environmental Management System certification, measurement and analysis of 2010 waste streams.

Michael Seaman, Asilomar Conference Center, Monterey, CA (Parks) will assist with ISO 14001 Environmental Management System certification, and assessing and improving Asilomar’s sustainable food and beverage program.

Abigail Ray, JPMorgan Chase & Goldman Sachs, NYC (Business and Industry) will be working with JPMC Marketing manager on environmental sustainability tracking forms and marketing materials for JPMC’s NYC locations, and responsible for initiating/achieving Green Restaurant Certification at various locations.

Kevin Mattson, Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA (Sports and Entertainment) will coordinate implementation of new recycling stations and waste diversion initiatives, and support sustainable food and beverage procurement and measurement.

Tabitha Beasley, National Business Dining Client, Princeton, NJ (Business and Industry) will be responsible for achieving Green Restaurant re-certification and working on partnerships with local farms to source sustainable food.

Leah Chapman, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL (Higher Education) will be responsible for developing an internal composting solution including researching bins and systems of implementation, and conducting employee sustainability training.

 

Contacts:   Student Conservation Association Deirdre Fitzgerald dfitzgerald@theSCA.org
 603-504-3263
   ARAMARK Corporation Mary Rucci Director, CSR Communications 215-238-7110