A Hands-On Dive into Environmental Consulting: My Internship at MRA Consulting

This semester, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to intern as an Environmental Consultant with MRA Consulting, thanks to Arcadia Abroad. As someone passionate about both chemical engineering and sustainability, this internship has been the perfect way to explore the intersection of my interests while gaining valuable, hands-on experience in the field.

MRA Consulting is one of Australia’s leading environmental consultancies, specializing in waste and recycling, circular economy strategies, and sustainability planning. They work closely with government bodies, businesses, and communities to develop solutions that reduce waste, improve recycling systems, and promote long-term environmental resilience.

As an intern on the Organics Team, I’ve been involved in a wide variety of meaningful projects. Our team focuses on organic waste management—including recycling, composting, and reuse—and I’ve had the chance to contribute to projects that address these topics from both technical and policy perspectives.

A typical day runs from 9 to 5 in the office, and every Monday kicks off with a team meeting where we align on weekly goals and project updates. From there, it’s been a whirlwind of research, data analysis, and real-world fieldwork.

One of my first tasks was helping to draft a waste management plan—an essential component for businesses and councils looking to reduce their environmental footprint. I also dove deep into international composting systems, analyzing compost quality requirements in countries like the UK, Germany, Austria, and Finland. This research helped inform our recommendations on compostable packaging and nutrient standards, and I even used tools like Google Maps to visualize and compare practices across regions.

Another major project involved research for a client interested in launching a new facility. I gathered data on gate fees for commercial and industrial waste from three different companies, allowing the client to compare pricing and make informed business decisions.

One of the most hands-on parts of the internship was working on Bin Trim Projects, which involved conducting visual waste audits at local food courts and businesses. Before heading out, I participated in safety briefings and background research on reusable product brands. Then, I visited businesses in person, conducted bin inspections, and entered data into the Bin Trim app to help develop tailored action plans. This experience helped me improve both my technical knowledge and my communication skills, especially when speaking with business owners and staff.

I also contributed to research for a client in the process of acquiring an organic waste company. I used data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics to estimate organic waste volumes across each Local Government Area (LGA) in New South Wales—essential information for evaluating potential investment opportunities.

This internship experience deeply aligned with the UTS BUILD values and gave me new insights into what it means to be a global citizen and future leader. One of my biggest takeaways was understanding the complexity and interconnectedness of environmental issues—how waste management is not just a local concern, but a global challenge that requires international collaboration, cross-sector communication, and culturally sensitive solutions.

Through BUILD, I’ve developed an awareness of global citizenship, and this internship helped put that into action. Learning how different countries tackle composting systems, and seeing how policies and infrastructure vary, made me more aware of the importance of intercultural competency in engineering and environmental consulting. What works in Germany might not work in Australia or Indonesia—and successful solutions need to be adapted thoughtfully.

This experience also empowered me to step into a leadership mindset. Whether it was contributing ideas in weekly meetings or taking initiative on a research task, I was encouraged to think critically, ask questions, and take ownership of my contributions. That confidence and sense of agency are things I’ll carry forward, both academically and professionally.

My passion for sustainability has long been grounded in science, but this internship showed me the human and policy dimensions in a tangible way. It reinforced my belief that engineers must be socially and environmentally conscious—especially when working on systems that affect entire communities. It also reminded me of the power of communication: even the most data-driven solutions rely on meaningful conversations and collaborative planning.

This experience challenged and expanded my understanding of “social and environmental sustainability”—a core BUILD value—by exposing me to real-world trade-offs and practical constraints in consulting. It’s one thing to study sustainability in theory; it’s another to weigh environmental goals against financial realities and operational logistics. I saw firsthand how consultants advocate for sustainable solutions while navigating competing stakeholder interests.

Going forward, I plan to take what I’ve learned and apply it not only in my future career as a chemical engineering consultant but also in my everyday life. I’m more aware of the importance of waste systems, more mindful about the packaging I use, and more confident in starting conversations about sustainability in professional and personal contexts.

In the spirit of BUILD, I hope to continue engaging in global challenges, seeking intercultural experiences, and contributing to solutions that support both people and the planet. This internship wasn’t just a learning experience—it was a step toward becoming the kind of global leader and change-maker I aspire to be.

I’m incredibly grateful to Arcadia Abroad, MRA Consulting, and UTS BUILD for helping me bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world impact.

Maaike Snider
25770013
Chemical Engineering