Alaska Marine Science & Fisheries Interns

Here are a couple of great interns that have been working in Marine Science & Fisheries during this last summer around Alaska. Read about their experience, hear their advice and think about your next application for an internship in Marine Science or Fisheries here in Alaska! Keep following us on facebook, twitter and this blog for updates on current positions, internships and opportunities! 

Name: Magaret Garrison

Internship location: Sitka Sound Science Center, Sitka

Position: Fisheries and Science Technician: worked in the aquarium giving tours and educating visitors, helped in the salmon hatchery and helped with youth marine science summer camps

Where did you grow up? 

 Since 2001 I have lived in the city of Sitka on Baranof Island in Southeast Alaska. Prior to living in Sitka I lived at several remote hatchery sites thanks to my father’s career as a fisheries biologist and salmon hatchery manager—I have lived in places such as Port Snettisham outside of Juneau and Port Armstrong, which is also located on Baranof Island. These hatcheries gave me a unique upbringing because I was exposed to science at a very young age—this spurred my decision to become a high school science teacher.

What is your educational background?

 I graduated from Sitka High School in 2011 and am currently a student at Western Washington University. I plan on getting my bachelor’s degree there and then go on to complete my master’s degree in Secondary Education at WWU as well.

What got you interested in the marine sciences/fisheries?

My childhood was what first inspired my interest in marine sciences and fisheries. As I mentioned before, I grew up at several different remote hatchery sites before moving to Sitka, Alaska. These hatcheries were about as remote as remote can be. Both hatcheries were home to about thirteen people year-round, with little or no roads—the easiest way to get around was the small boardwalk. Port Armstrong in particular only had a boardwalk. Apart from being home-schooled by my mother, I had what I would call an informal education from the environment around me. I would constantly explore on the beach and surrounding woods, as well as hang out in the hatchery and watch to see how they raised the salmon. I loved being surrounded by science from a very young age. When my family moved to Sitka in 2001, right before I started third grade in the public school district, I started learning in very different ways (being at a public school was very different from being home-schooled but I enjoyed both thoroughly) and continued feeding my passion for science. By the time I graduated high school I had been surrounded by enough science through my family, home and schooling that I knew I wanted a career in the sciences.

 Interests

Apart from my scientific focuses, I spend a lot of time outside hiking as much as possible when I am home in Sitka as well as when I am at school in Bellingham. I also started rock climbing this past year at school and enjoy looking for new places in the Bellingham area to explore. I have played piano for ten years now, and although I no longer take lessons I still try to play as much as I possibly can. When I can, I love to get out on the ocean, either on my family’s boat or our kayaks, or out on Lake Whatcom in Bellingham.

Career Goals

My ultimate goal for a career is to become a high school science teacher. Right now my plan is to get my bachelor’s degree from Western Washington, and then get my master’s degree in Secondary Education and then hopefully return to Southeast Alaska to teach. Right now I am debating between getting my bachelor’s degree either in marine sciences or geology. Geology is a new area of science I am beginning to explore at college, although I love the marine sciences as well. I will get a degree in either of these areas hopefully, so that I am qualified to teach some area of the high school science curriculum like marine biology or earth science. Either way, I am confident in my career choice.

What are your primary responsibilities at your internship?

My internship has been wonderful because I have had the chance to experience many different aspects of marine science and fisheries here at the Sitka Sound Science Center. I have different responsibilities each day, although there are a few key areas that I work in. My main responsibilities are to either work in the salmon hatchery, aquarium, or to give tours of the entire facility. When I work in the hatchery I help clean, feed, and take care of the juvenile salmon, help with the adult spawning season (when we take eggs from the three different salmon species we raise at our hatchery) and help with general hatchery maintenance and salmon rearing. When I work in the aquarium I help clean and take care of the animals, as well as answer any questions that our walk-in tourists may have. The aquarium is very busy with tourists during the entire summer. We also provide interpretive walking tours of the hatchery, aquarium, and facility history, which I give several times a week along with other employees of the Science Center.

Favorite memory or what you like most about your internship?

My favorite memory of my internship so far at the Sitka Sound Science Center was actually in a completely different area than my normal responsibilities. In the early months of the summer, the Science Center holds several different weeklong camps for children of all ages that explore different areas of science. For an entire week, I was part of the teaching staff of our water-themed camp called “Water, Water, Everywhere” for second-graders. We explored everything from the density of water to glaciers to hydropower to careers on the water like the Coast Guard. I absolutely loved working with the kids—they were so enthusiastic about everything they had to learn that it made my entire week so much fun. I would have loved the opportunity to help with more camps.

 How has living on the coast and/or being an Alaska Native influenced your occupational choice?

Living in the coastal area of Southeast Alaska for my entire life has influenced my prospective career choices in several ways. First, I would say that because of my time here in Alaska, I have come to respect the local environment and what it has to offer. The diverse surroundings and animal life make me feel like I am continually learning and absorbing as much as I can from the natural world around me—it seems like a natural step in my education to focus my career choice on the environment that has always fascinated me—my home. Lastly, growing up in Sitka and working at the Sitka Sound Science Center has exposed me to real-life research careers and what it takes to be a scientist out in the field. I have a better understanding now of field work and research-driven science, and this cemented my desire to do research work here in Alaska and eventually use that experience to become a teacher.

What helped you get to where you are today and/or what roadblocks did you have to over come?

I think that the biggest influence that helped me get to where I am today is my family. My father’s career that brought him and my mother to Alaska in the first place was the first of any type of scientific career that I was exposed to. His determination and passion for what he does as a fisheries biologist made me excited and want to study science. The same goes for my sister, who is finishing her degree in biology at University of Alaska Southeast—she is my biggest role model, and I love that we have an enthusiasm for science in common and that makes me even more committed to my current educational path. Lastly, my mother was a huge influence for my aspiration to become a teacher—she was the first teacher I had, and worked tirelessly with my sister and I to home school us when we were living in remote areas. Having her as a teacher helped me enjoy school, and spurred my enthusiasm for education. I can say with confidence that I would never have gotten to where I am today without this inspiration from my family.

Any advice for young coastal Alaskan’s who are interested in the marine sciences?

 My advice to young coastal Alaskans interested in marine science would be to first, spend as much time outside as you can. The more you can absorb and discover out in the “field” so to say, the more experience you will have when exploring different career paths. Last, if you can, get in contact with researchers and scientists in your area. Network. Ask if you can help them with their work in any way—even if it is sorting through their paperwork. By creating a relationship with these scientists, you are opening so many doors for yourself—and even if they seem intimidating, do it anyway! Chances are, they will be thrilled that a young student has passion and interest in what they do. 

Name: Sydney Pace

Internship location: Sport Fish Division: Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fairbanks

Position: Worked on variety of projects essential to the management of the salmon fisheries in Region III. These included: sockeye and king salmon in the Chitina dipnet personal use fishery, working on the Chena River counting tower, access projects, and other projects as available

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Fairbanks, Alaska. I have lived here all my life.

What is your educational background?

I completed four years of high school at Monroe Catholic Jr./Sr. High School.

What got you interested in the marine sciences/fisheries?

I have always loved being outdoors and fishing; I felt like learning more about fisheries would be a good fit for me.

Interests

I am interested in hunting, fishing, sports and being outdoors.

Career Goals

My goals are to continue being a hard worker and succeed in obtaining a college degree.

What are your primary responsibilities at your internship?

Assisting with Sport Fish Salmon Research Projects in Region III North of the Alaska Range, and in Chitina.

Favorite memory or what you like most about your internship?

My favorite memories will be the work I shared with Erin, Austin, James, Chad, Loren, Allison, Chloe, Shannon, Audra, Jesse, and Virgil. I had a great time during my internship, and the people were amazing.

What helped you get to where you are today and/or what roadblocks did you have to over come?

My parents always pushing me to do my best, hard work at school, and my outdoor experience.

Any advice for young coastal Alaskan’s who are interested in the marine sciences?

If it is something you love, do it!