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Environmental Sciences Student Spotlights

Three visitors overlook a green wetland from a wooden boardwalk, reading an interpretive sign beneath a bright, partly cloudy sky.

Sep 4, 2026

Ella Graham: Hooked on North Carolina Aquariums

I am fortunate enough to have grown up with the Pine Knoll Shores (PKS) aquarium in my backyard, and since working there this summer, I’ve realized that I have seriously underestimated its worth. Not only do I get to wear cargo shorts all summer long (fun, right?), but I get to play an active part…

Feb 20, 2026

Cate Hawting: A Summer of (Crystal) Growth

Looking around the lobby of Engineering Hall that rainy Thursday morning, something took me back to elementary school. Maybe it was the plunge into an unfamiliar place, or maybe just the first day nerves. Either way, as we stood in that shiny new building nervously waiting to be picked up by our graduate student mentors,…

Jan 30, 2026

Niveda Mahesh: Far from Home, Close to Purpose

When I accepted my offer for a 12-week Research & Development internship at Procter & Gamble back in December 2024, I had no idea just how transformative the experience would be. It was exciting—and a little nerve-wracking—knowing I’d be spending the summer in Cincinnati, Ohio, the farthest I’d ever been from home. But by the…
Two photos shown side by side. Left: Five women stand together outdoors on a university campus walkway, smiling at the camera, with autumn trees and academic buildings in the background. Right: An indoor academic setting where a woman presents a research poster on a stand while speaking with two attendees, all standing near wooden doors in a conference or symposium space.

Jan 16, 2026

Emy Tran: Navigating Eco-Emotions in a Rapidly Changing World

Coming into college four years ago, I never would have expected that studying natural resources would mean learning just as much about emotions as it does about ecosystems. However, all this time later, it’s become clearer and clearer: environmental issues aren’t just changing landscapes, they’re changing us. For my external learning experience, I am continuing…

Dec 11, 2025

Matthew Kearns: Cinderella, Dressed in (Neon) Yella

Over the summer, I spent most of my time suspended in the classic fairy tale Cinderella. Unfortunately for me though, I was not assisted by crafty talking mice, nor was I adorned with custom glass slippers and a billowing ball gown, or bestowed with a magical pumpkin carriage to escort me to wherever my heart…
A calm, green swamp scene with turtles sunning on a log, cypress trees draped in moss, and still water covered in patches of algae and duckweed. - Akshita Govindaraj - Resilience and Roots: A Summer in Gates County - Forestry and Environmental Resources NC State University

Nov 21, 2025

Akshita Govindaraj – Resilience and Roots: A Summer in Gates County

Cloudy skies, sound of light drizzle, swaying pine forests, and the quiet stillness of Merchants Millpond. These are just some of the images that come to mind when I think about my summer in Gates County. Tucked away in northeastern North Carolina, Gates is a small, rural county where community bonds run deep and the…

Oct 31, 2025

Jake Harmon: Streams, Wetlands and Education

When I signed on as an intern at Kris Bass Engineering, following along as a coworker mowed through the dense Eastern NC woodlands with a chainsaw wasn’t on my bingo card. My name is Jake Harmon, and I’m a rising senior at NC State University. This summer (2025), I had the opportunity to intern with…

Oct 10, 2025

Sea-zing the day: Linden Campbell-Godfrey’s Coastal Internship

Earlier this year, specifically the spring semester, I remembered scanning the FER board, CNR postings, and job sites to find the perfect internship. It was a difficult process, and my confidence was declining. Finally, I came across one that was in my hometown, marine science-focused, and had almost 400 hours’ worth of experience. It was…

Sep 12, 2025

Ellie Roberts: Learning About the Interconnectedness of Field Work and Lab Work Through Forestry Research

Before starting this job, I knew nothing about forestry or anything related to how the natural resources industry works. But after a semester of field work and a summer of lab experiences, my understanding has begun to grow and my passion for natural resources has only been confirmed. Over the last seven months I have…

May 30, 2025

Amanda Jones: Learn How to Handle Awkwardness Quickly

Have you ever wanted to overcome your fear of rejection? Have you ever felt like you needed to yell at strangers? How good are you at having people lie to you? Well, look around for career paths no further! Come work with us on an advocacy campaign. My name is Amanda Jones, and I had…