Intern Hub

Hello! My name is Grace and I am happy to return as an intern with Minorities in Shark Sciences (MISS). I chose to re-apply because this opportunity helped me discover my interests in shark parasitism. Last summer, I completed a summer research project where I looked at parasites in the blood and hearts of sharks from Sarasota. As an educator and scientist, I hope to leverage this towards a career in environmental education or an industry role such as consulting or environmental health. I have gained hands-on experience with properly restraining sharks so that I can collect samples to conduct research. I have gained various skills spanning from fieldwork, to environmental education, and science communication. My favorite experience occurred during a MISS summer camp while I was fishing and witnessed my first tiger shark! Professionally, I have grown by refining my skills as a science communicator and developing a literature review for shark parasitism. This is something I have been able to carry into my capstone project as a graduate student at California State University, Fullerton.

My advice for future interns is to embrace the unknown; do it scared, do it nervous, do it unsure. You can’t wait to “feel ready,” or else you’ll never step out of your comfort zone. Being nervous or scared doesn’t make you any less worthy or capable. Let yourself experience something new.

I believe this internship will help me carry out my graduate project and shape my future as an environmental educator. By gaining more fieldwork experience on a boat and research experience in a laboratory setting, I am confident this can be translated into future scientific projects.