As my time here at the foundation wraps up, I have been doing a lot of reflection. As such, I have concluded that the amount you can learn in one summer internship is unrivaled. It can range from scientific technical skills to office interpersonal skills, and anywhere in between. Some things are self-explanatory, and some are learned through trial and error. This range is what makes internships so valuable.
I’ve compiled a list of the major lessons I have learned over the course of my time here. It spans from career related tidbits to the aforementioned errors. A sort of internship “ABC’s”, if you will. Whether you are a curious audience member, or a future intern, I hope you find value (or humor) in the knowledge I have gathered in the span of ten weeks.
A – Advocate for yourself. When you are out in the field, you are responsible for yourself. Don’t be afraid to let someone know you need a break, odds are you are not the only one.
B – Believe in your capabilities. Imposter syndrome is just in your head. If you were hired to do a job, then someone saw you are qualified to handle the job.
C – Communication is key. If you need something clarified, then ask. It is better to ask for answers than for forgiveness when something goes wrong.
D – Do it! Don’t be scared to try new things, even if they seem daunting. An internship is one of the few chances in life where you get to try a variety of things, so take advantage of it.
E – Explore! Even an area you’ve been in your entire life can surprise you.
F – Failure is okay, even if it doesn’t feel like it. As an intern, you are learning. What you do after you make a mistake is more important.
G – Groceries are a lot more expensive than you think in a small town…
H – Humor is the killer of all things negative. Be able to laugh at yourself and with the people around you. Not everything at work needs to be dreary and serious. Laughter forms connections and makes hard work easier.
I – Interest is what drives science. Find something that entices your sense of interest and pursue it. Data is much easier to work with when you are interested in the result.
J – Journal about your experiences as an intern. Even if you jot down your daily tasks every week, just keep some sort of record. Every day of your internship is different, and you are never going to remember everything. Keeping notes will allow you to recall specifics later.
K – Kayaks get very uncomfortable after eight hours on the river.
L – Listen! Truly take in what people around you are saying. Everyone has something different to say, and you’d be surprised what you can learn.
M – Make connections. The relationships you have in any career field, but especially in a natural resource-related profession, can have a profound impact going forward. You never know what opportunities can open because you have someone vouching for you.
N – Nothing works perfectly forever, especially technology. Be ready to troubleshoot.
O – Organization is your best friend. As an intern, you have so much going on in a short summer so you need to keep it straight. Reminders and a planner can go a long way.
P – Pack more than you anticipate needing. Whether that be clothes, snacks, or water. Field work always has a way of throwing the unanticipated at you.
Q – Questions – ask them a lot. No question is a stupid question when you are first learning something. Take advantage of the wealth of knowledge surrounding you.
R – Read! Whether it be scientific papers, publications, or reports. Obtain information relevant to your career.
S – Stop and look around. In the field, it is very easy to put your head down and focus on the task at hand. Pick your head up occasionally and enjoy the moment. You are doing cool things, in a cool place. Enjoy it!
T – Technical skills are best taught by example. You can always ask to see how something is done.
U – UV is killer. Wear sunscreen.
V – Volunteer when you can! If someone needs a hand with something, be the one to step in. There is always experience to be gained.
W – WATER. Always have it, always be drinking it. Dehydration sneaks up on you like no other.
X – eX-perience is gained overtime, not overnight. Be patient, you don’t know how to do something you don’t know how to do.
Y – Your work speaks volumes. Always strive to do a good job, even if the task is simple.
Z – Zip up your waterproof bag. Otherwise, it is not waterproof anymore. Sounds simple, but river water has a way of getting where you don’t want it.
