- How was your work as an intern meaningful to your education? The first main and obvious skill that I will be taking away is independence, being on my own for a month without the support of my peers was different the I had expected. Even though I don't feel like I rely on my classmates through school, it's a eye opening experience to step out of your comfort zone by yourself. In the first week, I was given time to get caught up with the project by reading many scientific journals and papers in which I gained knowledge of the marketing of fish sales. Through the project, what I found educational was working with fishermen. It was great to work with both sides of the market, the consumers and the retailers/suppliers. It was interesting to see what consumers look for and how it is delivered.
- How was your work significant or meaningful to the world beyond school and your specific internship site? The way my project was designed was to make a difference in consumer purchases with making wise choices in sustainable seafood. My product will apply to all consumers in this direct market. The final product will be a Social Media page where followers will get updates on their seafood such as when/where it was caught. Consumers are the ones that shift the market in sales. They are the ones that demand the fish, they can either consume fish that is not environmentally healthy for the earth and be fine with in. In which fishermen can continue to endanger marine life due to the lack of value that customers care for. Or, consumers can demand fresh fish that is sustainable. The hopes of the results are that consumers use this page to gain knowledge while purchasing in what fish are sustainable. This product will be continue being used after my month is up for being an intern.
- What did you learn about your own work from your internship project?
- What new questions has your internship inspired you to ask about our world? What has it made you wonder about? What are you moved to go out and do or learn about on your own time? It has opened my eyes in realizing how much damage we have done to our marine life, and has made me wondered about what other harmful things we have done to all animals that is right in front of our eyes but isn't recognized as a public problem. I think about how can environmental awareness become more apart of everyday lives. It has also made me think, what will happen when we hit rock bottom. After overfishing and in general, humans are hurting the environment, even the smallest thing such as littering has long term affects.
- How might internship influence the direction of your life? It has provided me with a strong interest in environment conservation in which I want to continue in as a possible career. I'm not sure what type of environment I want to focus on, but I think it is perfectly fine not knowing because I know I will have more opportunities like this to give me a better understanding of what I want to do. Internship has really given me a chance to dive into the field that makes me happy. It may sound cliche but learning about conservation makes me want to make a difference within the world, starting with public outreach. Public outreach is the main part of my project. The public is what changes the environment, we have the control over habitats. Which is such a power that we hold but don't manage/care enough about. Internship has such a strong influence because being at a full time job for a month gives you a specific idea of what type of work is actually done.
- How did your view of life beyond high school change or develop during your time as an intern? I have become more aware of the environment and everything I do has an affect. Which starts making me think about the different paths you can take in life. One being wanting to make a difference in the world, without necessarily being an environment conservationist but overall being aware of your surroundings and caring for others then just yourself. Or you can be the opposite, and not care about the beautiful creatures on the earth. I do hope that in my life I can make more become passionate about conservation.