Vineet Wadhwa
Reworld鈩�, a leader in sustainable waste solutions, has taken strides in fostering an inclusive and dynamic internship program and building a robust talent pipeline. Over the years, the program has evolved from a focused initiative for engineering students to a comprehensive, company-wide effort that aligns with the new values of the company formerly known as Covanta. The commitment to diversity and inclusion is evident in its partnerships and success stories, showcasing the program’s impact on the company’s mission and the interns’ professional growth.
The Evolution of the Internship Program
The summer internship program at Reworld鈩� has been a cornerstone of the company鈥檚 talent acquisition strategy for over a decade. Initially focused on recruiting engineering students for its Early Career Development Program (ECDP), a two-year rotational program for engineering graduates, the internship initiative has grown since 2017 with a strategic push to increase on-campus engagement at targeted colleges.
From 2019 onwards, the program expanded its reach beyond engineering to encompass other business units like plant operations, environmental compliance, sustainability, marketing, HR, IT and finance. This enabled the company to expand into a more diverse pool of early career talent across all areas of the organization. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the internship program continued to mature.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
A pivotal moment in the journey towards increased inclusivity was when the company joined the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Partnership Challenge in 2021. By pledging to expand campus engagement and support for HBCUs across the U.S., Reworld鈩� reinforced its commitment to fostering a more diverse and inclusive workforce. Since then, the company has recruited and hired 15 interns from various HBCUs over the past three years.
The partnership with HBCUs exemplifies the long-term goals of the internship program. These goals include building a talent pipeline for entry-level positions, promoting diversity, enhancing general employer branding, and advocating for sustainability awareness. The company鈥檚 efforts have increased intern hires each year from HBCUs: three in 2022, five in 2023, and seven in 2024.
Comprehensive Training and Mentorship
Interns at Reworld鈩� receive comprehensive training and mentorship, starting with an orientation that introduces them to the company and many facets of its innovative sustainable waste processes. IT and advanced safety training are crucial components of onboarding. Interns also receive a tour of a Thermomechanical Treatment Facility (TTF) to understand the technology and process behind converting waste to energy, how this carbon-negative approach to handling waste reduces the amount of methane released into the atmosphere, and how landfill diversion increases circularity with the reuse and recycling of materials that would otherwise be lost.
Mentorship is another key element of the internship program. Summer interns have the opportunity to engage in at least five Q&A sessions with the Reworld鈩� executive leadership team, with additional individual mentorship opportunities available on the interns鈥� host teams.听
Shaping Future Leaders
The success of the internship program is best illustrated through the experiences of interns like Camryn Grizzetti, a rising senior at the University of Pittsburgh majoring in Industrial Engineering. Camryn was first introduced to Reworld鈩� in 2018 during high school tours to a Thermomechanical Treatment Facility (TTF) and a Metals Management Facility. 鈥淲itnessing the application of the company鈥檚 vision to reimagine waste management and build a more sustainable world inspired my career path towards engineering and sustainability,鈥� Camyrn shared.
Camryn is serving this summer as a Project Management Intern, focusing on standardizing PMO processes, optimizing project costs, and ensuring adherence to project budgets. Her role involves updating project management documents, refining project workflows, and creating guidelines for project closeouts. “This internship has deepened my understanding of the waste management industry and its role in helping Reworld鈩� customers meet their sustainability goals,” Camryn continued. “My marketable experience and knowledge base has expanded greatly with my work on project management documents, methodologies, and terminology that Reworld鈩� uses to service customers at a high level.”
Camryn’s journey exemplifies the personal and professional growth that the internship program fosters. “This internship has been transformative both professionally and personally. As this is my first hands-on experience in an office, I鈥檝e been able to hone my communication, teamwork, and organizational skills,” she concluded.
Measuring Success and Continuous Improvement
The success of the internship program is measured through feedback from interns and managers, plus the fulfillment of intern demand across the organization. Two to three surveys are conducted each summer to gather insights on the intern experience, identify areas for improvement, and generate new ideas for future iterations of the program.
The success of the HBCU pledge is another critical metric for Reworld鈩�, as the company seeks to exceed hiring targets and continue to strengthen their partnerships with HBCUs.
Future Plans and Expansions
Looking ahead, Reworld鈩� aims to continue building on the success of the internship program with future expansion and enhancements already in the works. The company plans to strengthen its talent pipeline by focusing on entry-level talent and further developing its Early Career Development Program. Promoting the value of landfill diversion while fostering employment opportunities for deserving early career talent from across the socioeconomic spectrum in all areas of the waste industry is central to the mission of Reworld鈩� human resources.