During my internship, I had the opportunity to participate in the Open Climate Curriculum (Open CC), part of the Business and Climate Change Initiative at the Tamer Institute for Social Enterprise and Climate Change at Columbia Business School (CBS), led by Professor Bruce Usher. The initiative aims to provide high-quality climate education resources to business school professors worldwide. Our platform compiles teaching materials from renowned institutions such as Yale, MIT, Harvard, and CBS, with a focus on enhancing the accessibility and effectiveness of climate education. As a member of the team, I contributed to the integration of climate-related materials on the platform and was involved in developing tools to help users better manage and utilize these resources.

This initiative is perfectly aligned with the organization's mission, as it helps enhance the teaching capabilities of educators in the field of climate change and promotes the widespread dissemination of climate knowledge. I am proud to have been part of this innovative initiative, which aims to advance climate education. Through my contributions, I gained a deep understanding of how digital technology can support professors in delivering climate-related content more efficiently, helping to prepare the next generation of business leaders to tackle the challenges of climate change.

This internship gave me the opportunity to apply the knowledge I acquired in climate and environmental sciences during my studies at Columbia Climate School. Over the summer, we worked on upgrading Open CC to version 2.0, with one of the core tasks being the integration of climate data and resources from international organizations and institutions into the platform. Throughout this process, I effectively utilized my expertise in climate data management and analysis, which I developed during my graduate studies. I was responsible for organizing and importing key climate materials from these organizations, ensuring a smooth transition into the platform. Additionally, I designed an Excel input tool to list all potential materials, facilitating the team’s efficient management of the data.

Moreover, during the system upgrade, I applied the visual communication skills I learned in the Applications in Climate and Society course at Columbia. Using these skills, I created several hand-drawn sketches that clearly outlined my ideas for the layout and structure optimization of Open CC 2.0. These sketches not only enhanced the team's understanding of the new version's design but also improved the efficiency of our communication around design concepts. This experience deepened my understanding of how to translate classroom knowledge into practical applications, and it allowed me to contribute to the advancement of climate education.

The biggest challenge I faced during this internship was upgrading the system using programming languages. As my current academic program does not cover much in the way of programming or web development skills, I felt the gaps in my knowledge became apparent. However, the upgrade of Open CC was one of the most critical tasks this summer, and I was fortunate to be part of a supportive and inclusive team. My team members offered invaluable assistance, patiently guiding me through each step of the website development process, from system architecture to coding. Their willingness to teach me the necessary skills made the learning experience invaluable, and I am deeply grateful for their support.

Additionally, we held weekly meetings with the technical team from Nuclia, which provided me with an essential platform for communication. I was able to bring up the challenges I encountered during the development process, and the Nuclia staff responded with patience and detailed guidance. Their support helped me gradually acquire the technical skills necessary for the system upgrade and boosted my confidence in contributing to the project. Although there were many challenges along the way, the support from my team and external experts not only helped me overcome the difficulties, but also enabled me to learn new skills related to web development and programming. This experience has laid a solid foundation for my future career development.

This internship experience has been incredibly valuable to me, not only enhancing my technical and interpersonal skills but also laying a strong foundation for my future career. On the technical side, I learned how to use Nuclia software to manage complex data resources and gained proficiency in website layout and design. These skills will undoubtedly support me as I pursue a career requiring a strong quantitative background. I have come to realize that mastering technical skills is not just about completing tasks at hand but also about building practical tools for future professional development.

On the interpersonal level, this internship deeply impressed upon me the importance of teamwork. Through effective communication and collaboration with my team, we successfully achieved the goal of upgrading Open CC. During this process, I learned how to balance different viewpoints within the team and support one another, ultimately driving the success of the project. These invaluable experiences have taught me how to work with others to achieve significant goals in any future work environment.

What left the deepest impression on me was a statement made by Professor Bruce Usher during our first meeting. He said, "In most fields, knowledge is not free, but climate and sustainability are exceptions. Professors from around the world are eager to collaborate and create a more sustainable future." This message profoundly influenced me, highlighting the unique importance of climate action and sustainability. His words continue to remind me that my future career is not solely about personal growth but about contributing to society and the environment. This sense of responsibility will guide my future development, driving me to continue advancing in the fields of climate and sustainability.