“Ask as many questions as possible” is the advice that Nikki Wade would give to anyone doing an internship. 

The undergraduate student is in her 4th year of a double-degree in law and economics and recently finished an internship with the ANU Below Zero Program,  

Nikki had already done some volunteer work analysing modern slavery statements with the organisation Walk Free. This was her stepping stone to her project at Below Zero, investigating the viability of the carbon credits as part of the University’s organisational climate action program. 

This was not without challenges - diving deep into the obscure world of procurement policies and processes, while contending with the volatility of the carbon market. 

“I think the carbon credit market in general is quite uncertain and the effectiveness of carbon credits is definitely subject to scrutiny. This added to the challenge of understanding how carbon credits could be involved in the University’s procurement plans in the future” she says. 

The support and one-on-one time with her supervisor made a big difference and helped her build transferrable skills. 

“I feel like with this experience, my ability to collaborate and write has even impacted in a positive way my work in government.” 

Nikki is working for the Treasury while she finishes her studies and thinks about next steps.