I enjoyed tracking the trail cameras and helping to provide visitation information for the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy. A large part of conservation efforts is knowing how many people are visiting the parks/trails each year, as we need to evaluate if the numbers are too high or too low. I also enjoyed observing people as they enjoyed nature by taking daily walks on the trails, walking their dogs, or fishing in the rivers. It was encouraging to see the numbers of people immersing themselves in nature, especially during the pandemic.
What I wish was different
I wish that the internship would have been in-person so that I could have learned hands-on. Learning to check the trail cameras and track the data in-person and in the field would have been beneficial for my career path. However, the internship was fun and useful nonetheless!
Advice
I would highly recommend this micro-internship to any student majoring in Environmental Studies, Parks and Rec, or Conservation. It helped me learn how important the upkeep of nature trails is, and how we can impact society by keeping the trails monitored and decently trafficked.
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Data Analytics Intern
July - August 2020 • Mount Pleasant, MI
What I liked
This Micro-Internship was great for me to pick up a short term project over the summer that I could complete completely online. It was very nice to be able to work online during the Covid-19 pandemic.
What I wish was different
I wish I had a better idea of what the project entails at the start of the project. I felt like I was backtracking a bit throughout the process when I would come up with new ideas or wanted to make a change halfway through.
Advice
Be sure to take charge when designing a project like this one. When the requirements are broad enough, its a good opportunity to complete a project in a new or interesting way.
