Learning the Language of Impact - My Mentorship with the Lady Cardinal Program at DEQ

Guest Blogger, Samara Tarek, Lady Cardinal Mentorship Program

This summer, I’m participating in the Lady Cardinal Mentorship Program, a four-week, full-time internship that places high school girls in state government agencies across North Carolina to explore careers in public service and STEM. Currently, I’m working at the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Through this experience, I’ve had the opportunity to explore many different areas of government, education, communication, and science.

Each week, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a different division. I’ve seen how much effort goes into the behind-the-scenes work that keeps the state government running. Whether it’s hiring future leaders, sharing information with the public, or building educational programs, it’s clear everyone I’ve met truly cares about the people and places they serve.

My first week was with the Human Resources division. I worked on a project to help DEQ improve how it connects with students across the state. Right now, DEQ primarily works with select  colleges for outreach and recruiting. Alongside them, my purpose was to help expand that reach.

I created a database of all the colleges and universities in North Carolina and surrounding states. I researched each school’s background, programs, and student communities to help DEQ find connections between those schools and its work. The goal of the project was to make it easier for DEQ to connect with students who may have been out of reach. Especially students at rural or underrepresented campuses who have not heard about state internship or job opportunities before. It felt rewarding  to know this project could help more students access careers in environmental work. 

In the second week, I joined the Public Affairs division. One of my main tasks was reviewing the DEQ website to find broken links, outdated pages, or missing information. I went through a long list of web pages in a database and helped update anything that needed fixing.

Though the task seemed simple at first, beneath the surface, I learned the  importance of communication. A working website helps the public understand what DEQ does and how to access its services. Fixing a link or updating a document may not seem like a big deal, but it makes a real difference for someone trying to get information. This week helped me appreciate how much thought goes into public communication and digital accessibility.

In my third week, I joined the Environmental Education team within Public Affairs. They may be a small group, but the work they do reaches students, teachers, and communities all over North Carolina. What stood out to me most was how personal they made the experience. They took time to ask about what I care about and where I see myself in the future.

I shared my interest in pediatrics and helping underserved communities. They supported me in reaching out to nonprofits and pediatricians at UNC Health and Duke Health, which opened doors I didn’t expect from an internship in environmental work. Those moments showed me how outreach, education, and public service can connect across so many fields, even ones like healthcare.It also made me think more deeply about my own student organization, Akash Choya Shopno, which means Dreams That Touch the Sky in Bengali. I started it to support students in Bangladesh who want to pursue science or medicine but face barriers like limited resources or guidance. We offer free tutoring, study materials, and guest speaker sessions, all led by volunteers.

Working with the Environmental Education team helped me see how much work goes into making programs that actually support learning. It inspired me to find better ways to help students through Akash Choya Shopno.

Throughout the Lady Cardinal program, I took part in several enrichment activities that deepened my understanding of science, leadership, and global connections. At Biogen, I explored genetics through hands-on activities, learning about traits, pedigrees, and how genetic manipulation is used in pharmaceuticals. I also had the opportunity to attend the Governor's Reception at the Executive Mansion, where I met Governor Josh Stein and gained insight into state leadership. Another memorable experience was meeting with students from Algeria, which allowed me to learn about different cultures and exchange perspectives on education and public service.

This internship taught me a lot about how the government works and how many different paths there are to making a difference. I learned new skills, met inspiring people, and found connections between my own interests and public service. It was a meaningful experience that I’ll carry with me moving forward.

If you want to learn more about Akash Choya Shopno or get involved, you can email akashcshopno@gmail.com or follow us on Instagram at @akashcshopno.