The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (EM) liquid waste contractor at the Savannah River Site (SRS) has welcomed the largest class of interns in the program’s history.

Sixty college students — up from 44 last year — are working within Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC) this summer, supporting the SRS radioactive liquid waste cleanup missionand bringing fresh perspective in the areas of engineering, environmental science, biology, chemistry, business, communications and more. About a dozen students are returning interns.

The interns hail from Mercer, Brigham Young, University of South Carolina (USC), Clemson, University of Florida, USC Aiken, Georgia Tech, University of Arkansas, University of Georgia, University of Kentucky-Paducah, Georgia Southern, University of Virginia, Purdue, Michigan, Rose-Hulman, University of Kentucky, West Virginia University, Charleston Southern, University of Tampa, Florida International University, Oklahoma State, Columbia International, Georgia State, Benedict College, Augusta University, and Georgia College & State University.

SRMC President and Program Manager Dave Olson said SRMC strives to assign meaningful work and projects to the summer interns while providing the opportunity to be learners first and contributors second.

“These students will be learning alongside some of the best employees who are focused on our mission to safely reduce the risk to the community and the environment of the radioactive liquid waste stored in waste tanks at SRS,” Olson said. “We are thrilled to have them on the team, and we are here to support in many ways, including sharing the standards of our safety culture and core values and behaviors.”

Gabriella Thomas, a business student from USC Aiken, is working in SRMC’S Procurement Compliance and Systems group. She supports the procurement system administration by helping implement new systems, which includes revisions to existing procedures and training that is required resulting from system updates.

“Coming to work every day has been so enjoyable,” Thomas said. “I will use what I’ve learned about the supply chain system and logistical aspects of owning a business and eventually apply it to my own business one day.”

The summer interns have a well-rounded experience planned at SRMC, including professional development sessions, facility tours, technical lectures, community service projects, social outings after hours and senior management networking activities.