Internship Description
Ting-Ting Chou ’26 was an intern at the Office of Sustainability at Columbia University, which leads and coordinates institution-wide climate initiatives. She led the revision of the zero waste strategy and created a sustainable procurement framework, integrating sustainability metrics with business risk indicators to inform strategic decisions. Her work involved stakeholder engagement and data analysis to assess supply chain risks and environmental impacts. She developed key tools, including a methodology workbook and scalability framework. Chou’s work contributes to long-term sustainability and operational planning in support of Columbia’s broader climate action plan.
At Columbia University’s Office of Sustainability I contributed to Plan 2030, the university’s strategic sustainability framework. My first project involved integrating sustainability into procurement practices. I analyzed purchasing data across multiple product categories, researched external best practices, identified key focus areas, and developed a framework to achieve financial savings and environmental benefits. My second project involved reviewing the university’s zero‑waste goal and proposing a revised strategy with actionable steps. I examined waste‑management practices at peer institutions, delivered recommendations to help achieve Columbia’s waste goals, and created a framework to analyze the impact of these strategies. Both projects supported Plan 2030 by advancing sustainable procurement and waste reduction.
Columbia’s MBA curriculum equipped me well. Business and Climate Change provided a broad understanding of climate trends and technologies, and Python for MBAs taught me to analyze and visualize large datasets, both of which were essential for procurement analysis. Operations and strategy courses supplied frameworks for cost‑benefit analysis and implementation planning. Combining these tools allowed me to translate data into practical recommendations that balanced environmental and financial goals.
One challenge was quantifying the impact of sustainability initiatives. Reliable data on greenhouse‑gas emissions and life‑cycle analyses are often scarce, making measurement difficult. I addressed this by using proxy metrics and qualitative assessments while acknowledging data limitations. Another challenge was balancing product functionality, performance, cost, and environmental impact when evaluating procurement options. I collaborated closely with facilities and operations staff to understand the practical constraints and adapt recommendations accordingly.
The internship provided valuable insight into how sustainability is operationalized within a large institution. I learned that demonstrating the business case for green practices is essential to adoption and that cross‑department collaboration is key. Engaging with staff who implement these initiatives gave me a realistic perspective on the challenges and opportunities of driving sustainable change. I hope to continue collaborating with the Office of Sustainability and to apply these lessons to future roles that integrate sustainability and business.