Student Intern Testimonials
Alaskan Adventure
As an ERM student I have found that there are so many amazing opportunities available to me because of my studies. This past summer I obtained a job working with the Bureau of Land Management out of Fairbanks, Alaska. Along with my supervisor and another intern I worked in the field on the Fortymile River. We took small planes or helicopters into the backcountry where we would then take all of our gear and start our ten day float trips down to the nearest road. While in the field our job included performing assessments of the environmental impacts from gold miners on the river. We worked with the miners to be sure that they were not in violation of the regulations set to protect the river and surrounding wilderness. Also, we performed site rehabilitation when necessary, developed a plan to restore a historic cabin, and monitored nesting peregrine falcons and other wildlife. 
After each 10 days in the field I would have 5 days off to explore Alaska. I spent these days backpacking in Denali National Park, fishing off the Aleutian Islands, kayaking to the glaciers in Valdez, rafting the Yukon River, and exploring Anchorage. I met many interesting people and attended a festival held in a native Alaskan village. The wildlife and scenery that I encountered was incredible. I hiked over treeless tundra, through lush forests, up snow covered mountains and along raging rivers. I came within a few hundred feet of moose, seals, caribou, mountain goats, wolves, sea otters, black bear and grizzly bears!
Living and working in Alaska was the most exciting thing I have ever done. Every day in the vast state was an adventure. I found that the hardest thing I did all summer was leaving to come back home. After I graduate in May 2008 I hope to take all of the skills and knowledge that I have gained as an ERM student and head back north to The Last Frontier.
~Katie Doster, class of 2008
Semester at Sea
The SEA semester was a fantastic experience for me as a person. The ship ran on the Swedish watch system, meaning that there was always someone awake, and always someone trying to sleep, no matter the time of day. Shared responsibility among all the ship’s crew meant that students had to clean just as much and as often as the staff. Students became part of the crew throughout the program, being integrated more and more into the ship’s management and navigation as time progressed. By the end of the program, students were Junior Watch Officers, deciding on navigational routes, sail plans and reporting weather to the National Weather Service. 
I owe my ability to participate in the SEA semester to the flexibility of the ERM program. Because of the Minor/Specialization area I was able to complete the SEA semester and still complete all of my coursework on time. The College of Earth and Mineral Sciences also worked with me to transfer courses and count them towards a marine science minor. I recommend participating in the Sea Education Association’s programs with full confidence that any Penn State ERM student would benefit from the experience.
~Renee Reiley, Class of 2007
