Application Guide
How to Apply for Summer Intern, Sycamore & Oak: Climate & Sustainability
at Emerson Collective
🏢 About Emerson Collective
Emerson Collective uniquely blends philanthropy, impact investing, and policy innovation to drive systemic social change, with a focus on community renewal. Working here means being at the intersection of capital, policy, and grassroots action, offering a rare opportunity to see how different levers for change operate in tandem.
About This Role
This internship involves deep research into sustainable material markets like timber and emerging climate solutions, translating technical data into actionable insights for grants and stakeholder presentations. It's impactful because you'll directly support the Sycamore & Oak initiative's mission to connect climate research with tangible social and community outcomes.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with analyzing a dataset on timber supply chains, followed by drafting a section of a technical report for a grant application. In the afternoon, you could attend a team meeting to present visual summaries of your findings, then collaborate with a policy team member to align research with community impact goals.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Emerson Collective Is Looking For
- A current undergraduate with a declared major in environmental science, sustainability, public policy, or economics, who can point to coursework or projects involving data analysis.
- Someone with demonstrable experience synthesizing complex technical information into clear written summaries, possibly through academic papers, blog posts, or prior research assistant roles.
- A candidate who can articulate a specific interest in sustainable material markets (e.g., timber, bamboo, mycelium) or climate innovation policy, not just general 'passion for the environment'.
- An organized multitasker who can provide examples of managing concurrent research deadlines, possibly using tools like Airtable, Notion, or detailed spreadsheets.
📝 Tips for Applying to Emerson Collective
Tailor your resume to highlight any academic or extracurricular experience with literature reviews, data analysis (even in Excel or R), and report drafting—use the exact verbs from the job description ('research, analyze, present, draft, refine').
In your application materials, explicitly mention 'Sycamore & Oak' and reference one specific Emerson Collective project or investment (e.g., their work in sustainable forestry or community resilience) to show you've done your homework.
Prepare a 1-2 page writing sample that demonstrates your ability to synthesize technical information; an excerpt from a research paper on a climate-related topic would be ideal.
If you have a portfolio, include a link to any data visualizations (charts, infographics) or presentation decks you've created, as the role involves supporting team convenings with visuals.
Reach out to current or former Emerson Collective interns on LinkedIn for informational interviews—the company values collaborative networks, and this shows initiative.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Explain why Emerson Collective's integrated approach (philanthropy, investing, policy) resonates with you, and how it aligns with your view of effective climate action.", "Detail a specific research or analysis project where you synthesized complex data into clear findings, emphasizing the outcome (e.g., 'my literature review on carbon pricing informed a class presentation that...').", "Express a genuine curiosity about sustainable material markets—mention a specific material (like mass timber) or innovation (like low-carbon cement) you're eager to explore.", "Highlight an example of how you've successfully collaborated across different teams or disciplines, as the role requires working with various EC teams."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Study Emerson Collective's specific investments or initiatives under the Sycamore & Oak umbrella—look for press releases, reports, or partner organizations they work with.
- → Research the team members on LinkedIn (especially those in climate/sustainability roles) to understand their backgrounds and potential interviewers.
- → Explore the company's broader portfolio beyond climate, such as education or immigration work, to understand how they integrate different social issues.
- → Look into recent policy developments in Washington, DC, related to sustainable materials or climate innovation (e.g., Inflation Reduction Act provisions).
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention Emerson Collective, Sycamore & Oak, or sustainable material markets specifically.
- Failing to provide concrete examples of research, analysis, or writing skills—vague statements like 'I'm a good researcher' without proof.
- Overlooking the 'collaborate across teams' aspect; candidates who present as purely independent researchers may not fit the collaborative culture.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Emerson Collective!