John Mark Polk is a senior majoring in fisheries, wildlife and conservation biology and a College of Natural Resources student ambassador. He is a recipient of the George and Janice Smith Wildlife Scholarship, Hope Valley Forest Scholarship and Hofmann Forest Academic Scholarship.
This summer, Polk served as an environmental education intern with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. The 1.9-million-acre refuge covers much of the southern two-thirds of Kodiak Island and is home to about 3,000 Kodiak brown bears.
Check out the Q&A below to learn more about Polk’s experience with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the role of the College of Natural Resources in helping to prepare him for the internship.
What were the primary responsibilities of your internship?
I taught an environmental day camp for kids from ages 4-14. I spent the first few weeks planning camp activities and lessons and becoming familiar with Kodiak Island’s natural and cultural environment. This year’s theme for camp was “habitat.” I guided campers through the exploration of some of Kodiak’s major habitats, from tide pools to spruce forests. The campers got to participate in activities such as fishing, tide pooling, nature journaling and more. Some camps had special focuses such as art or more intense outdoor recreation for older age groups. In addition to camps hosted on the road system, we had the opportunity to bring the camp to the villages on the island that are only accessible by plane or boat.
How did you find out about this internship and why were you interested in it?
My interest in public engagement and outreach in science and environmental education has developed in the last year through course projects and another internship. I was searching for opportunities to gain more experience in this area, as well as traveling to a new place. I found this internship through a job board and it seemed to fit perfectly with what I was looking for.
In what ways did the College of Natural Resources prepare you for this internship?
The College of Natural Resources has given me the opportunity to develop communication skills that have proved invaluable in many facets during my time in Alaska. In addition to soft skills, my coursework and professors have shown me the importance of engaging the public in conservation efforts.
What are your long-term goals and how does this internship factor in?
After graduating, I want to continue to work in environmental education and this internship has given me a strong starting ground. I have been able to see the process of planning lessons, activities and experiences that connect people of all ages, not just kids, with nature around them. In addition to program planning, I have seen how experiencing the outdoors can spark a kid’s love for nature. I know I will take the skills I have developed this summer and apply them to develop a future career.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned while at NC State?
The most important thing I have learned while at NC State is to try something new. This internship was a big step personally, but the encouragement of the College of Natural Resources’ faculty and staff helped me pursue this opportunity.
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