Internship Story: Quincy Clifford for the Maine Office of Outdoor Rec

An outdoor enthusiast, Quincy Clifford from Lincoln, ME, was excited to land a role with the Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation (MOOR). “The opportunity to step behind the scenes on how the Maine government supports our outdoor opportunities immediately piqued my interest,” Quincy says. Her internship is part of the Maine Government Summer Internship Program, which brings interns together with Maine state agencies and municipal and county governments, gaining valuable professional experience and building professional networks.  

How did you hear about this internship?

I have been familiar with the Maine Government Internship Program for a few years now, after learning about it at the annual UMaine Career Fair. The program is driven by the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center, which is located on the UMaine campus. 

Why did you choose to intern for the Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation?

When I received the email that I was a finalist for the position, I was thrilled to think that I could spend my summer learning about an industry so vital to Maine’s economy. The enthusiasm from MOOR’s director, Jeff McCabe, was inspirational. I was confident that I could bring the same energy to the marketing and outreach efforts of MOOR, so accepting the offer was a privilege. I love being outside, whether it means hiking, fishing, ATVing, horseback riding, or just sitting around a campfire. Everything from campsites, forests, and trails, to waterways, registered guides, and small outdoor-based businesses is supported by MOOR, and I’m so grateful to be a small part of that mission!

What were your internship tasks?

One of my favorite aspects of the internship was going on site visits to our many recipients of the Community Outdoor Recreation Assistance (CORA) grant, a financial resource provided by MOOR to outdoor-based organizations across the state. I met and networked with professionals in a wide range of areas, from film and media to trail-building and conservation. I photographed our visits to be shared in the newsletter and on social media. This also allowed me to travel around the state and spend my summer engaged in the great outdoors of Maine!

I spent a lot of time attending marketing meetings with the MOOR director, and especially enjoyed listening to conversations surrounding sustainability and representation in marketing. I was tasked with finding and asking the hard questions to ensure that our efforts were thorough. I have also been helping support the planning of the Maine Outdoor Economy Summit by generating ideas for activities and programming, developing a grant spreadsheet to coordinate site visits, and helping develop our monthly newsletter!

What did you like most about your internship?

Traveling to meet people! Two things I enjoy most in life are exploring new places and meeting new people, and this internship was a perfect combination of building relationships and fostering connections in every corner of the state. Also, I’ve been invited as a guest on the “More Than Outdoors” podcast, which is something I’m really looking forward to.

What were the biggest challenges you faced as an intern?

At the beginning, I struggled a lot with direction and knowing where to begin. The Outdoor Recreation industry is vast, diverse, and complex. I spent a lot of time reading Maine-made publications and researching the many partnerships of the MOOR to prepare myself.

What did you learn during your internship that you couldn’t have learned in the classroom?

Through this internship, I was able to conduct interviews with professionals and was consistently required to communicate with people from many different industries and backgrounds. I think no matter how much you practice effective communication and active listening, applying it to the workplace is different. The interviews I conducted required a lot of preparation, but also challenged my in-the-moment ability to guide a conversation and pivot as needed.

I haven’t previously had the opportunity to work on my photography or media interests within the classroom due to my course load. I spent the summer working on shooting and editing, as well as learning about podcast production!

How will this experience help you as you move forward in your career?

Beyond the countless personal connections I have made with professionals across the state, this internship also helped me acknowledge my personal motivators and the ways in which I work best. I feel best motivated when I can associate a mission or some form of public outreach with my work, and I feel most confident and enthusiastic when collaborating with others. I now have real contributions within the Maine Government to share with future employers, along with personal insights to guide my path.

Any advice to share with other students considering an internship?

My advice to students considering an internship opportunity is to take the chance! When I applied to the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center, I wasn’t sure if there was a place for me in government. I’ve learned that all organizations really thrive off a diverse array of talent and personalities. Maine businesses don’t just want your insights, they need them!

Hometown: Lincoln, Maine
Class: Senior, Class of 2026

Majors: Management and Sport Management with a concentration in International Business 
Minor: Spanish
Internship Title: Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Communications