Meet Julia Mistretta
Plan NH Intern through the Semester for Impact Program
What's your major?
" I'll graduate in May 2027 from the University of New Hampshire with a dual major in Community and Environmental Planning and Sustainability, and a minor in Sustainable Energy. "
What are your career interests?
" I'm excited about so many aspects of the planning field that I haven't yet decided if I want to work for a non-profit, for-profit, or town planning department. I would love to have a role related to energy or resiliency planning, but I am still exploring other options as well. "
Why did you choose to intern with Plan NH?
" As a requirement of my major at UNH, I have to have at least one internship. I was introduced to the Semester for Impact (SFI) program through the College for Social Innovation last year during one of my sustainability classes. When I met with the SFI coordinators they told me to research different planning organizations in the area, and I came across Plan NH. I had heard of Plan NH only briefly at this point from a few other students in my major that had volunteered with them before. I was most excited to intern with Plan NH after discovering their Charrette Program. I knew I could learn so much from watching and working with professionals in the planning field through this program. "
What projects have you worked on at Plan NH?
" The summer before my internship officially started, I was able to volunteer, and help write the report for, the Nashua Charrette on May 30-31. This was a great way for me to meet Tiffany and Anna in-person before my internship began and familiarize myself with Plan NH as a whole. The Charrette itself and the report-writing process introduced me to other members of Plan NH and allowed me to apply planning knowledge I had developed through my courses at UNH.
" As a part of the Semester for Impact program, I am conducting a Charrette project for Plan NH. I am actively examining some of the earliest Plan NH Charrettes, including the very first from 1996 in Belmont, and comparing the pictures and illustrations within those reports to Google Earth images of the project areas today. I will then conduct an analysis of common themes between (1) what features communities brought Plan NH in to focus on and what community members wanted to see change, (2) the types of recommendations made by the Plan NH teams, and (3) which recommendations made it to the final stages of implementation. I've really enjoyed creating this project so far, and I am looking forward to presenting it to the Plan NH Board of Directors.
" Aside from those major projects, I have also helped out with the Plan NH Fall Conference, Golf Classic, and Hampton Charrette. "
What's been your favorite part of interning here?
" I've loved working with Anna and Tiffany over the past few months. I've learned so much about the planning process and the professional world. Charrettes are definitely my favorite aspect of interning with Plan NH, and I am eager to complete my project. "
How do you spend your free time?
" I'm so glad that this internship has allowed me to stay at UNH. I enjoy playing intramurals, like soccer and broomball (a UNH classic), reading, and spending time with my friends and family. "
Is there anything else you'd like to share about yourself?
" Fun fact: I'll be studying abroad in Italy this spring! "
Learn more about the College for Social Innovation and the Semester for Impact Program by visiting their website at www.collegeforsocialinnovation.org.
