One Student’s Internship Adventure with National Geographic
From a young age, Sophia had a love for reading and collecting National Geographic magazines and maps — a passion she shared with me during our conversation last spring while applying for a Geography Internship. Now, as summer winds down and we head into a new school year, I had the opportunity to catch up with her about her incredible experience with the National Geographic Society!
Her journey is a great reminder of what’s possible when you follow your curiosity and keep your mind open to new opportunities to explore. I’m excited to share some of her reflections and advice for anyone looking to do the same!
What’s one moment from your internship that changed how you might map out your future related to one of your current majors, Environmental Geosciences?
One evening, roughly two months into my internship, I was working on an interesting project. Sipping tea and writing a script to solve a data processing problem, I didn’t realize that it was after 5 until I saw the golden light of sunset across my desk. I was having so much fun and was so invested in the work, I lost track of time. I learned that having a job where I would be both challenged and have fun is extremely important to me. In relation to my Environmental Geosciences major, I realized that I enjoy working in the analysis of environmental data.
If your internship were a topographic map, where were the peaks, the valleys, and the most interesting terrain along your journey?
I love how this question is geography themed! I think that the time I spent in person with my team was my favorite part, or the peak, of the internship. It was great getting to know everyone! I did not have any real valleys [or challenges] during my internship. My time with the Society was awesome! In terms of surprises [interesting terrain], I was really surprised to learn about the career paths of the people on my team. In the past, I thought careers in my field were very linear – measured in years of experience. This internship challenged many of my assumptions about what a career in my field can look like!
How did your time at National Geographic help you connect what you’ve learned throughout your classes, campus involvement, and previous internship experiences to your work as a Geography Intern?
I have been able to engage in a wide variety of activities at the College of Charleston – especially due to the school’s liberal arts focus! Among other things, I have been a Campus Tour Guide, a Researcher with the Lowcountry Hazards Center, and a Cartography Intern with the Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC). These experiences helped me become a confident public speaker and communicator, with a strong foundational knowledge in my field of interest.
Working with the National Geographic Society required me to use my skills in different sectors in a way that was new to me! I drew on my past experiences to help me in my day-to-day work. I made maps, presented research, and troubleshot coding problems with my team.
What new “tools” did you learn this summer, and how are you hoping to use what you learned this year?
I would say that I have two key “tools” that I have learned this summer. Working in the Storytelling Division of the Society, I learned a lot about the power of storytelling, especially in conservation work. The ability to tell a story and communicate well is often just as important as technical competence in determining the success of a project! I am hoping to continue my growth as a storyteller through volunteering with the M.A.R.S.H. Project this year as a community scientist!
My second key “tool” from this summer is Python, a computer programming language. While I have taken Python classes at the College of Charleston, working on scripts throughout the summer allowed me to greatly develop my coding abilities! I am super excited to use what I have learned this summer to write my Bachelor’s Essay under the guidance of Professor Ali from the Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences. The essay will be titled “A Data-Driven and Semi-Analytical Approach to Ocean Color using Machine Learning.” This project, originally funded by the National Geographic Society, aims to use AI to predict water quality parameters from remote sensing data!
If you were drafting a student’s guide to navigating their own internship, what 3 pieces of advice would you include on the first page?
- You Belong! There will be days where you get “scaries” or are unsure if you are doing enough or are enough. This is known as impostor syndrome and is natural for many interns and young professionals. Remember that you were selected for a reason, and your team is there to support you!
- Coffee Convos Rock! As an intern, you are in a unique position within your organization. People love to speak to interns (perhaps more so than a regular new hire) and are generally accepting of 1 on 1 meetings. Take advantage of this! Meet with as many people on your team as you can. Learn from their experiences and how they became a part of your organization. It strengthens your relationships with your coworkers and can provide valuable insights for your career goals. Send thank you messages after too!
- Getting used to a 40-hour, 9-5 work week can be a challenge. Try to add structure/routine to your days if possible! I found that I really loved watching nature webcams throughout the day. I would specifically take breaks to watch feeding times for sled puppies at Denali National Park (there is an adorable live webcam)!