Working Intensively with GIS
I really enjoyed my experience at the Planning Department. I got along very well the entire staff and they were so helpful. I know that I can turn to them for anything in the future such as recommendation letters for future opportunities. The most useful part of this internship was the hands-on experience I gained by working so intensively with GIS.
Working in a Technical Field
Aside from the invaluable practice and experience, I have come away from this internship with a few lessons learned. One such lesson is maintaining a business mind while working in a technical field. For example, our company advises clients on how to operate within regulations but we can't force them to adhere.
As the old adage goes, you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make them drink. Another important business attribute is documentation. Document everything. In the past our company has had to testify in court and it was only by keeping good notes and documents on our actions, even day-to-day activities, which have allowed us to accurately lend testimony to a case.
Overall I am very pleased to have found my career path and have decided how to use my academic training. Through my experience I have accumulated real world practice, built confidence and made contacts.
Working Alongside Professionals
Although a lot of heavy lifting, manual labor and general office work were sometimes involved, my experience was greatly beneficial. I learned the importance of protecting and preserving NC’s fragile coastline, as well as the amount of hard work and effort that goes into such endeavors.
I also built relationships with many intelligent and dedicated professionals who selflessly provided firsthand knowledge of important environmental and legal issues. I was fortunate to work alongside county planners, coastal scientists, lawyers, chemists, and biologists, and the connections I made through my work will likely aid in securing future employment.
The Value of Real-Time Application
Reading textbooks and attending lectures can only benefit one’s knowledge of a subject to a certain extent. Working directly with key players who actually utilized and applied such knowledge on a daily basis elevated the learning experience to an entirely new level, and I’m glad I took advantage of the opportunity.
Sure, it looks great on a resume, but until you've been an active participant within an organization, you really haven’t been exposed to the big picture. Thanks to my internship experience, I see that picture and I know what it takes to succeed outside of the classroom.
Inspired by Intelligence & Professionalism
My experience has been invaluable. I have learned so much about how the real world operates. Not only have I learned more about what I can do with my major, but also soaked up so much knowledge from highly intelligent and successful people that I feel I am at a significant advantage to my fellow peers who have yet to experience an internship.
Things such as communication, teamwork, and a positive attitude play such vital roles to the cohesiveness and prosperity of a business. All of the things I will now be learning at school will have more significance to truly understand because I actually know the benefits and importance of its real world application. For that, this experience has been a summer well spent.
Working ArcGIS & Key Opportunities
I was provided with on-the-job training throughout the Fall Semester by learning how to operate testing equipment accurately, properly collect soil and groundwater samples, assess study sites for potential environmental concerns, interpret soil borings in the field and use a variety of software packages such as ArcGIS.
Working here gave me insight on how an environmental consulting firm functions on a daily basis, allowing me to gain valuable professional experience in my potential future field of employment. In addition, I learned how to work with a team of professionals with a common goal.
My daily routine allowed for first hand data collection and interpretation with experienced professionals; leading to knowledge gained about soils, hydrology, GIS mapping, and geological studies. More importantly, I was able to grasp an understanding of how to apply my knowledge and scientific practices to solve environmental issues for clients.
This internship gave me valuable real-life work experience that will assist me with future job searches, and my ultimate goal of employment as an environmental consultant. Working with a licensed geologist benefited me both academically and professionally and will aid in pursuit of my Professional Geologist Licensure by giving me an idea of what to expect as a geologist.
