The Junior Talent Programme: How we are supporting interested students in their path to sustainability careers

Joining Preferred by Nature as an intern in the Strategy and Innovation (SAI) team has been an incredibly inspiring and enriching experience. In this role, I am gaining hands-on insight into the sustainability framework and thus actively contributing to strengthening sustainability across a wide range of commodity sectors. The internship has also allowed me to deepen my expertise in certification systems and sustainable forest management, particularly within the FSC framework, which has been highly valuable.Alongside my internship, I am also collaborating with Preferred by Nature as a student on my master’s thesis, focusing on the development of the biodiversity scorecard. This dual role offers a unique opportunity to connect academic research with real-world application, and to see how ideas can translate into tangible impact within the sustainability field.

Working at the intersection of people, nature, and climate strongly resonates with my background in Forest and Nature Management (M.Sc.) and Political Science (B.Sc.). This internship enables me to expand and refine my skill set, while also giving me a clearer understanding of how my interdisciplinary competencies can contribute to the work of a purpose-driven NGO operating in the sustainability sector.

What I particularly appreciate about Preferred by Nature is the empowering and supportive environment, which encourages initiative and learning. The organization’s global diversity is especially inspiring, as collaborating with colleagues from across the world creates a dynamic exchange of perspectives and ideas. Overall, this experience is contributing significantly to both my professional and personal development, and it is strengthening my commitment to working within the sustainability sector.

Being a part of Preferred by Nature for almost a year now has been an incredibly exciting and enriching experience. As my first formal workplace, I initially anticipated a standard professional routine—a place to dedicate a few hours each day before returning to my personal life. However, the organisation quickly proved to be far more than just that. It has provided me with a dynamic space where I could meaningfully pursue my dedication to sustainability and environmental protection.

Balancing this role while completing my Environmental Science B.Sc. degree was an ambitious undertaking. Yet, the immense flexibility offered by this organisation has allowed me to complete, and also enhance, my formal education. My colleagues have been a constant pillar of support, remaining highly understanding of my academic commitments, while also enthusiastically offering me new avenues for academic and professional exploration.

Throughout my internship, I have had the privilege of supporting several core business areas. While initially focused on Regional Engagement and Communications and Sustainability Certification support work, I also contributed to Sustainability Advisory and have recently transitioned to primarily supporting the Strategy and Innovation team. My most rewarding project so far has been the close collaboration with Programme Technical Leads to design and build a centralised internal hub within SharePoint. By understanding their operational needs, I developed an accessible, user experience-friendly environment that centralises critical resources for certification and verification services.

An unforgettable experience that has deepened my dedication to Preferred by Nature’s mission was the field trip to a community-managed rubber tree farm in the Rayong Province, Thailand, during the 2026 Global Sustainability Summit, which took place in Bangkok. Seeing firsthand how the local community beautifully balanced their livelihoods with nature, while remaining so deeply connected to their environment and caring deeply for all living beings (be it crops, animals, or humans), was a deeply changing experience for me. It made me fully realize the true scope and heart of Preferred by Nature, showing me that the impact we have, given our commitment and valuable tools, can truly support local communities in the collective effort to build a more nature-friendly planet for everyone.

I am grateful for the trust and opportunities I have been given here, and I am constantly amazed to work alongside such like-minded, kind people, even when we’re all from different corners of the world. This internship experience has allowed me to form deep relationships that I will keep dear to my heart always, while also leaving me entirely confident that it has laid a profound, permanent foundation for my professional future.

My internship at Preferred by Nature in Romania has been a highly valuable experience, contributing significantly to both my professional development and personal growth. With an academic background in Environmental Engineering and a master’s degree in environmental Protection and Management, I have developed a strong interest in sustainability and sustainable development. This opportunity allowed me to build on my studies and gain practical insight into how sustainability is applied in real-world contexts.

What attracted me most to Preferred by Nature was its clear commitment to sustainability and its mission-driven approach. In addition, the international work environment offered a unique chance to collaborate with colleagues from different countries and gain experience on a global scale.

What I appreciated most was the positive work environment and the collaborative nature of the team. My colleagues were very open and supportive, and I was consistently met with a willingness to help. This openness and helpfulness played an important role in my learning process and made it easier to develop new skills and gain confidence in my work.

I developed a strong understanding of sustainability certification systems, with a particular focus on forestry certification schemes. This experience allowed me to gain practical insight into how these frameworks are applied and implemented in real-world contexts.

Overall, my time at Preferred by Nature has been extremely valuable and rewarding. It has strengthened my interest in sustainability and provided me with practical experience that will support my future career. It is an opportunity I would gladly apply for again and confidently recommend to others.

One of the aspects I appreciated the most was the support and openness of my colleagues, especially within my team. Everyone has always been willing to teach me, involve me in their work, and help me better understand the different responsibilities and functions within HR.

This experience allowed me to explore the main areas of Human Resources and helped me understand more clearly that this is a professional path I would like to continue pursuing in the future. Beyond the professional side, this internship also helped me grow personally and better understand the kind of work environment and purpose I want for my future career.

Overall, this internship has taught me a great deal and introduced me to the NGO world in a way I had never experienced before. It has confirmed my interest in both Human Resources and purpose-driven organisations, and I would definitely apply for this position again.