Kyle Barreiro, second from left, is pictured with interns and departmental mentors from the Fall 2025 internship. Photo: Courtesy of Kyle Barreiro
Kyle Barreiro, a senior in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS), will graduate this May with a degree in Environmental Sciences. He knew right away that this was the major he wanted to pursue.
He found himself “both challenged and inspired by coursework that explores the complexity of our environment and its processes.” Those experiences helped strengthen his interest in environmental protection and sustainability, and he’s thrived despite the challenges because of the support he’s received. “My professors and peers have played a significant role in shaping my academic journey, and I am grateful for the support and guidance I have received along the way.”
A defining part of Kyle’s journey at SEBS was his Experiential Learning (EL) opportunity in summer 2025. He interned with the Joint Meeting of Essex & Union Counties (JMEUC) as an Environmental Science Intern. The internship provided a comprehensive introduction to wastewater treatment operations. Kyle rotated through multiple departments, including the laboratory, Industrial Pretreatment Program (IPP), project engineering, mechanics, electricians, and collections, helping him to understand how departments work together to maintain plant performance and environmental compliance.
Kyle Barreiro is pictured assisting with maintenance on a sludge thickener motor that malfunctioned due to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) corrosion affecting its electrical components. Photo: Courtesy of Kyle Barreiro
In the laboratory, Kyle collected grab and composite samples from both the facility and industrial contributors. He assisted technicians with analyses for biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids, total solids, chlorine residual, nitrite, and nitrate. This hands-on work strengthened his technical knowledge and appreciation for accuracy. Kyle noted that the experience helped him better understand water quality monitoring and laboratory operations.
During his IPP rotation, Kyle reviewed discharge permits and participated in site visits to industries that discharge wastewater to JMEUC. He helped monitor pollutant limits and observed how violations were addressed. This experience offered insight into regulatory enforcement and environmental accountability. It also reinforced the importance of compliance in protecting water resources.
Kyle’s rotation in project engineering introduced him to infrastructure improvements and long-term planning. He assisted with FEMA-funded upgrades following Hurricane Sandy. His responsibilities included documenting contractor progress, taking daily photographs, writing summaries, and attending weekly coordination meetings. Kyle shared that this experience “gave me insight into engineering and communication needed for environmental infrastructure projects.”
The internship has made a lasting impact on Kyle’s professional growth, enabling him to gain technical skills while building confidence in unfamiliar environments. He also strengthened his communication, report writing and public speaking abilities.
The experience “gave me a much deeper appreciation for the complexity of a wastewater treatment system,” and by the end of the internship, he felt more “confident pursuing environmental career opportunities.”
A major takeaway for Kyle was the understanding that “clear communication directly impacts environmental protection and compliance.”
Kyle also faced challenges that supported his growth. For his final intern project, he addressed hydrogen sulfide corrosion in the sludge thickening building. Equipment deterioration was caused by emissions from gravity belt operations. Kyle admitted that “developing a technical solution for equipment I initially had limited knowledge of was intimidating.”
To overcome this, he asked questions, worked closely with mentors and conducted research. He proposed improvements related to air filtration and belt design to reduce anaerobic conditions. Presenting his “recommendations to the executive board was nerve-racking,” but it strengthened his confidence and presentation skills.
Kyle believes his EL experience directly connected his coursework and real-world settings. He also built professional relationships with engineers and environmental compliance specialists who provided valuable guidance. He advises students to pursue EL opportunities, and to ask questions and actively engage with mentors.
After graduation, he hopes to pursue a career in environmental compliance or wastewater treatment. “I plan to apply the technical knowledge, skills and professional experience I gained during my internship to contribute meaningfully to the environmental field.”
Kyle’s SEBS journey demonstrates how experiential learning can transform classroom knowledge into practical experience while helping students move forward with confidence and purpose.