We at ActiveSGV are fortunate to have worked alongside two amazing interns this summer! With their internships completed, we wish nothing but the best for them (and, of course, hope they'll come visit us soon!). Learn more about Emily Zheng here.

1. Tell us about yourself and how you heard about ActiveSGV.

Hi everyone! My name is Emily, and I’m an incoming Junior at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts. I’m a Studio Art major and a Justice & Law and Urban Studies concentrator. I’m originally from a small town in Indiana called Shelbyville (yup, like from the Simpsons!) where the corn-to-people ratio is probably something like 55000000:1 (rough estimate, feel free to quote me @USDA).

I first heard about ActiveSGV through the grapevine while internship-hunting at school this past Spring. Wes, the former executive director at ActiveSGV, also went to Williams (#GOEPHS), so ActiveSGV is on the Environmental Center's internship list. A classmate knew I was interested in Urban Planning and Transportation and referred me, then before I knew it, I was on ActiveSGV's website filling out an application.

‍2. What do you like most about ActiveSGV?

I LOVE getting to be around the people who work at ActiveSGV. Day 1 of my internship blew me away with the fact that there are so many cool and interesting people with deep hearts for their community working together under one roof, and every day since has only impressed me more. Every single person who works at ActiveSGV is a role model for what it looks like to be an engaged citizen, an enthusiastic public servant, and a better friend and human being in general. The environment at ActiveSGV is truly special and the energy here is something I will carry with me long after this Summer.

3. What are you learning from your internship so far?

I’ve spent the summer trying to dabble in as many programs ActiveSGV works on as I can, and have gotten a much better understanding of the relationship between productive activism and community because of it. I’ve gotten to see all the big and little steps that go into creating meaningful change, and how the greater hopes and aspirations we have for our communities are made up of small, tedious office tasks as well as long days of meetings and huge, fun events. Everything goes into the bigger picture!

‍4. What are your future plans and how has your work with ActiveSGV impacted you?

I’m open to a ton of things right now! I’ve become interested in sustainable planning and architecture in recent years, but I’ve always been the “artsy kid” and a huge Disney fan, so one of my dreams is to become an animator. Interning with ActiveSGV is part of my exploration into what kinds of post-grad jobs I might pursue, and also an experiment to see whether West Coast really is the Best Coast…

‍5. What you're listening to/ reading/ watching/ digging right now:

One of my favorite things to do is watch BAD movies and spend the entire time roasting them. It's so much fun and takes all the pressure off having to focus on a movie while hanging out with your friends. One of my favorites to laugh at and trash is Country Crush on Netflix - definitely consider it next time you want a low-key and fun evening; I promise you won't regret it!

Instagram: @ama_zheng