Data Collection with the Coastal Oceanography Group
A Santa Rosa Junior College - Bodega Marine Laboratory Internship Program Story
I am in the SRJC-Bodega Marine Lab summer internship studying harmful algal blooms with the Coastal Oceanography Group. I am driven and motivated by my strong work ethic, which makes me feel accomplished when I have accomplished something I thought was difficult. I believe I am great with people when it comes to helping, whether that be having a conversation or being a good listener. My current short term goal is to finish classes at SRJC and gain more experience in research so I can apply to medical school to become a medical doctor.
The Coastal Oceanography Group at the Bodega Marine Lab collects data for so many important topics in terms of global warming and overall ocean health. Their data collection varies across many different devices precisely placed in parts of Bodega Bay, the Russian River, and even Fort Bragg. My favorite experience was getting to join Nicholas and Robin on fieldwork by dropping a device that measures temperature and salinity of ocean water in precise locations of the Russian River. We were tasked to collect data of salinity and temperature in precise locations along the river, all varying in depth. It was such a beautiful and sunny day, and doing something active while data collecting out in the real world was the most fun I have had in years. It was something I had no idea the coastal oceanography group got to do, but I felt very thankful that I was invited to do something so interactive.
I believe I signed up for the SRJC-Bodega Marine Lab internship to challenge myself. I had never done an internship previously, so I felt that it would be a new experience that I would never forget. I was previously a marine biology major at SRJC back in 2017, but changed my major because I thought it would be too difficult. I am currently interested in pursuing medicine, but I still have interest in something I thought I would not be able to do, even if I think it's too challenging. I believe this internship really opened a new chapter in my life, which I think will allow me to push myself and try internships that are completely different from this one. I do not feel afraid to challenge myself to learn new things anymore.
About the Program:
The SRJC-BML Internship Program provides summer research opportunities for Santa Rosa Junior College students at the Bodega Marine Laboratory.