Why Volunteer or Intern with Us?
Back in 2012, at the genesis of BDL as an organization, Denison University graduate and Vashon Islander Teddy Atwell volunteered as a stove tester. Looking back on the experience 7 years later, Teddy says that the best part was, “being in an interactive professional environment at a young age and gaining valuable experience.” A number of past student-employees have shared Teddy’s sentiment, such as Columbia University environmental engineering student Robert Winton. A 2016 BDL volunteer, Robert says, “the hands-on research component of my time at BDL was extremely valuable. I got to collaborate with a diverse group of people with a variety of backgrounds, and the older employees not only mentored me, but put trust in me, allowing me to work independently.”
At BDL, we strive to provide experiential learning opportunities for students from all over the country, and the world, both at the high school and college levels. We believe that empowering students to make impactful contributions to environmentally and socially progressive change is mutually beneficial for the student’s career development, and for our organization as a whole. Having enthusiastic, intelligent students join us from all over the country has bettered our organization from the beginning. Teddy elaborates, “In retrospect, I can see that the organization and efficiency that I originally noticed has yielded results for the betterment of people’s livelihoods around the world. It is rewarding to know I was part of that effort.”
While we are a mission driven nonprofit that prides itself on the efficiency of our designs, we always try and enjoy ourselves along the way. As last summer’s high school volunteer and current University of Maine at Orono student Molly Mazzucco put it, “It’s the entertaining people that you’d never expect to meet that make BDL a wonderful place to volunteer. One of my favorite parts of working here was joking around with [materials engineer] Joe while I was doing testing on the Kunikoa stove.”
Overall, BDL provides a welcoming environment for people of all ages who are motivated to learn about a niche industry, and who are driven to advance technology that improves the lives of others. If you can see yourself volunteering with us, please see the contact information on our website. We’re happy to introduce you to what BDL is all about. We look forward to meeting you!
-Garrett Starr