Meet Our Previous Interns!
2024
Brandon Fanus
Shippensburg University
Biology, concentration in Ecology and Environmental Conservation
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How would you describe this internship experience to others?
Interning at the field station an amazing experience to expand my knowledge in marine sciences, network with others, and conduct research. But it also led to great memories and friends that I'll have for the rest of my life, I wish I could go back! Were there any classes/ tasks/ trips that stood out as particularly valuable or impactful to you? Designing and conducting our own research project was a valuable experience, letting me develop the skills I learned from doing undergraduate research. There was something new to learn every day while assisting with college courses and being in the field. What was the most valuable thing you learned while working here? Just how important it is to network, develop friendships within out outside of your field, and to use the support that use connections brings to you. How would you describe the work life balance during your internship? You have to be prepared to work occasional weekends and have a full schedule throughout the week. But I found it to be very balanced and it’s hard to complain you're at such a great location. How well did the internship align with your career goals? As a biology major with an interest in zoology and working hands on with wildlife, this internship was a great fit. It also allowed me to learn about closely related fields that I am not as directly interested in, like marine geology and oceanography. |
Did the internship experience reinforce your interest in pursuing a career in this field?
I was already confident that pursuing a career in wildlife biology was the career I wanted. But doing field work all summer, getting hands on with local wildlife only reinforced that passion. Would you recommend this internship to other students? Why or why not? I would highly recommend this internship to any interested students. The variety of courses you assist with, the professors and contacts you make, and experiences the CBFS provides made it an exceptional experience. What was your favorite memory from this summer? Going kayaking and being able to hear professors lecture about the surrounding ecosystem was always one of my favorite activities. I'll never forget the day I found a Native American arrowhead on the beach, which was sent to a member of the Smithsonian. Where was your favorite place to eat out? Lily's Little Mexico food truck, I could eat there every day. Where was your favorite place to go when you weren't working? The lounge just to hang out with friends, the beach, and bookstores on the island. What was your favorite organism you found while you were here? It was always fun to capture snakes for research project, but there's nothing like getting to hold a wild skate or watching a dogfish swim between your legs. |
Dakota Baxter
Millersville University
Environmental Earth and Ocean Science; Physical Oceanography
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How would you describe this internship experience to others?
The most unique, hands-on, and fun experience I have ever had the pleasure to be a part of. The amount of connections you make will create countless memories and friends from all different backgrounds. Were there any classes/ tasks/ trips that stood out as particularly valuable or impactful to you? I always enjoyed the boat trips and getting out on the water (especially the ODU Chesapeake Bay field trip for Field Methods), but traveling to wallops island was always so much fun as well. What was the most valuable thing you learned while working here? There is so much I have learned from this experience, it’s hard to choose just one valuable thing, however, I will say that I learned that you have to be flexible to whatever the day throws at you because there was never a day identical to the other. How would you describe the work life balance during your internship? It was extremely balanced, so much so that even when I was working it felt as though I was going on another adventure with my friends. How well did the internship align with your career goals? It aligned greatly with my field goals because it reinforced my love for field work, but also have open opportunities with different nonprofits and government organizations that I could have a career with. |
Did the internship experience reinforce your interest in pursuing a career in this field?
Absolutely. Would you recommend this internship to other students? Why or why not? Absolutely, there was so much to take away from this experience with how much you learn just by being around the different professors and staff members. If I could do this experience again I would. What was your favorite memory from this summer? The S’mores and Shores events or just going to the beach with friends after work/class. Where was your favorite place to eat out? Either Pico or Ropewalk for dinner and Mr. Whippy’s for desert (still better than Island Creamery). Where was your favorite place to go when you weren't working? The beach, the pier by the Sundial Book Store, Atlantic Shoals, and Queens Sound What was your favorite organism you found while you were here? Burrfish, Sea Horse, or Ctenophores |
Rose von Eckartsberg
Stony Brook University
Marine Science B.S, Ecosystems and Human Impacts
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How would you describe this internship experience to others?
The best thing you will ever do. You will learn a lot and meet a lot of amazing people. The hands on aspect is the best part, there was not a single boring day. Were there any classes/ tasks/ trips that stood out as particularly valuable or impactful to you? Any of the trips where we trawled. It was so cool to see all the different organisms living below us. I think the best part was seeing how the species changed throughout the summer. We got to see the ecosystem changing in real time. What was the most valuable thing you learned while working here? Be patient with yourself. I went through a lot of speed bumps while doing my project, but I learned a lot from each one. How would you describe the work life balance during your internship? The work life balance was perfect. There is a stereotype of the overworked intern but that was not my case at all. The work you do is fun so it doesn't even feel like a job. How well did the internship align with your career goals? I want to be a marine ecology researcher and this opportunity allowed me to ask scientific questions and create my own experiment. It allowed me to work with a habitat that I have not worked with before and let me expand my horizons. |
Did the internship experience reinforce your interest in pursuing a career in this field?
Absolutely. I did my project on grass shrimp which was an organism I didn't think much about before this. Due to that project I found a new passion for prey movements and how they affect the overall ecosystem. Would you recommend this internship to other students? Why or why not? 100% yes. This experience was amazing and an insane amount of fun. You will make great friends and meet amazing people that are all interested in the same things. It is truly a unique place. What was your favorite memory from this summer? Finding a dogfish with Brandon and Ashley was a moment I will never forget. They swam inches away from our legs, it was amazing. Where was your favorite place to eat out? Lily's! The veggie burrito is the best veggie burrito I have ever had. Where was your favorite place to go when you weren't working? Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge What was your favorite organism you found while you were here? Sea Robin |
