5 Questions: A Summer Internship at the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services

ALBANY, N.Y. (July 15, 2021) – Amaechi Anyene, an incoming junior at the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (CEHC), was selected to work this summer as an intern at the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) in Albany. 

He started the internship remotely in June from his home in Brentwood, N.Y., and will continue through October. We caught up with him to learn more about the position, his education at CEHC and future career aspirations.

How did you get involved with DHSES and this internship?

CEHC has an experiential learning partnership with DHSES where students in the college can earn credit as interns. I thought their summer position with the agency’s Disaster Recovery Hazard Mitigation and Planning unit looked interesting.

The selection process included submitting a resume, cover letter and short essay about what we believe is the greatest risk facing New York and our solution to alleviate it. I wrote about climate change and the implantation of a food waste prevention program. They responded to me, and after a panel interview, offered a position for the summer.

What are your day-to-day responsibilities?

I’m working every weekday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. My responsibilities right now include researching news articles related to mitigation activities across the state and writing a gap analysis to support New York’s Hazard Mitigation Plan. I’ve also attended a number of local, state and agency planning meetings to gather information on resources and capabilities. My supervisor meets with me via Zoom.

How does this internship relate to what you’re learning at CEHC?

I’m an emergency preparedness major at CEHC. A lot of our classwork is focused on response and recovery during disaster events such as a flood or a widespread power outage. This internship has offered a valuable opportunity to see how the strategies I’m learning about are executed in the real world.

What are you hoping to take away from this summer?

This is my first internship, so I’m hoping to get a better sense of professionalism and personal development. It’s definitely a challenge to work remotely, but I’m just trying to do the best I can under current circumstances. I’ve enjoyed learning about the different types of emergency services DHSHES provides to the public.

What are your career aspirations?

I’m passionate about community service work. I’m a member of UAlbany’s American Red Cross Club, Epsilon Delta Psi fraternity for EHC and Criminal Justice majors/minors, and hope to join the Five Quad volunteer ambulance service next semester. My plan is to pursue a career in disaster recovery after graduation.