{"id":40138,"date":"2025-08-18T16:00:05","date_gmt":"2025-08-18T20:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/?p=40138"},"modified":"2025-08-18T18:57:22","modified_gmt":"2025-08-18T22:57:22","slug":"summer-internship-spotlight-muhammad-ikbal-putera-hawaii-volcanoes-national-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/2025\/08\/summer-internship-spotlight-muhammad-ikbal-putera-hawaii-volcanoes-national-park\/","title":{"rendered":"Summer Internship Spotlight: Muhammad Ikbal Putera, Hawai\u2019i Volcanoes National Park"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n

Muhammad Ikbal Putera, a second-year Ph.D. candidate studying parks, recreation and tourism management at the College of Natural Resources, recently completed a summer internship at Hawai\u2019i Volcanoes National Park<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Established in 1916, Hawai\u2019i Volcanoes National Park encompasses more than 300,000 acres on the southeastern side of the island of Hawai’i and is home to two active volcanoes: Mauna Loa and Kilauea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Putera interned at Hawai\u2018i Volcanoes National Park through the National Park Service\u2019s International Volunteers-in-Parks Program, which provides opportunities for international students and professionals to volunteer in United States national parks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hailing from Indonesia, Putera has served as the advanced forest ecosystems manager at Komodo National Park for over a decade. He earned a master’s degree in forest resources and conservation from the University of Florida through the USAID-CIFOR Fellowship Program in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Putera enrolled in the College of Natural Resources in 2024. His studies, which focus on youth engagement and conservation education in protected areas and World Heritage Sites, are fully funded by the prestigious Fulbright Indonesia Scholarship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Hawai\u2018i Volcanoes National Park, Putera spent two months with the Interpretation and Education Division. His responsibilities included shadowing rangers, leading interpretive programs, supporting youth education efforts, and deepening his understanding of Hawaiian ecosystems and cultural values.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Whether walking across the lava crust of the K\u012blauea Iki Trail, interpreting Anchialine Pond ecosystems, or photographing ancient petroglyphs, every day was filled with learning and meaningful engagement,” Putera said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added, “I gained valuable hands-on experience in visitor interpretation, cultural storytelling and conservation education, guided by several outstanding mentors at Hawai\u2018i Volcanoes National Park.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Putera extended his gratitude to Dean Gallagher, Mequette Gallegos, Keoni Kaholo\u02bb\u0101\u02bba, Dani Ciccone and K\u016bpono McDaniel, all rangers at Hawai\u2018i Volcanoes National Park, for their guidance during his internship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We recently caught up with Putera to discuss his internship at Hawai\u2019i Volcanoes National Park. Check out the Q&A below to learn more about his experience and how it’s contributed to his professional journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did you find out about this internship and why were you interested in it?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Muhammad Ikbal Putera<\/strong>: From the world\u2019s largest lizard to the world\u2019s most active volcano, both Komodo National Park and Hawai\u2018i Volcanoes National Park are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Biosphere Reserves. This symbolic connection immediately caught my attention when I came across the International Volunteers-in-Parks Program on the National Park Service website. I applied directly by email and, after a six-month process, was honored to be accepted and placed at Hawai\u2018i Volcanoes National Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was especially interested in this internship because it aligned closely with both my professional role as a senior park ranger in Komodo and my doctoral research at NC State. I wanted to learn how U.S. national parks, particularly Hawai\u2018i Volcanoes, integrate cultural interpretation, community engagement, and youth education into their conservation practices. The park\u2019s strong emphasis on Indigenous knowledge and its community-based approach to interpretation made it the ideal place to expand my skills and perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was the most interesting or surprising part of this internship experience?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Putera<\/strong>: What stood out most during my internship was how thoughtfully Hawai\u2018i Volcanoes National Park weaves Indigenous Hawaiian knowledge into its interpretive practices. Rather than treating culture and science as separate, the park embraces a holistic approach where spiritual beliefs, language and ancestral knowledge guide how visitors experience the landscape. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This perspective resonated deeply with me and reminded of Indigenous conservation beliefs in Indonesia. In Komodo, for example, the local tribe believes each person is born as twins \u2014one human and one Komodo dragon \u2014 instilling a spiritual responsibility to protect the species. Both cultures view nature not as a resource to manage, but as a family to respect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did the College of Natural Resources prepare you for this internship?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Putera:<\/strong> The College of Natural Resources, through the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management, has fully supported my internship at Hawai\u2018i Volcanoes National Park. With the continuous mentorship of my academic advisor, Yu-Fai Leung<\/a>, I successfully obtained a travel grant that enabled my trip to Hilo and made this opportunity possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This internship aligned perfectly with my doctoral research on youth-focused conservation education. Hawai\u2018i Volcanoes National Park serves as an excellent U.S.-based case study, as it runs similar youth programs \u2014 such as the Youth Ranger Internship Program \u2014 that closely reflect the Ranger Goes to School initiative I helped design in Komodo National Park. Observing and contributing to their program gave me invaluable comparative insight into how national parks in different cultural contexts engage youth in conservation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your long-term goals and how does this internship factor in?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Putera:<\/strong><\/strong> One of my long-term goals is to help redefine the role of park rangers \u2014 not only as guardians of wildlife, but also as educators, community leaders, and facilitators of youth conservation engagement. Across different countries and contexts, park rangers face similar challenges and share a deep commitment to protecting nature. This internship reminded me of the value of global peer learning and the powerful impact of cross-cultural collaboration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While I remain open to where my journey leads, I envision several possible paths forward. I may return to Indonesia and take on a leadership role in national park management, where the combination of field experience and academic training could be especially impactful. I also see myself contributing as an assistant professor \u2014equipping future leaders with both grassroots understanding and global perspective, while continuing to promote the importance of youth education in conservation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What advice would you give students who are looking for internships?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Putera:<\/strong><\/strong> Never be afraid to ask. Even if you think your email might go unanswered \u2014 send it anyway. Some of the best opportunities begin with a simple question. Talk to your advisor or professors. Ask for their guidance and support, and demonstrate that you’re genuinely motivated to learn. Pursue internships that challenge you or take you outside your comfort zone. The best internships don\u2019t just build your resume \u2014 they help clarify your purpose and expand your worldview in unexpected ways. Equally important: maintain clear and professional communication with your internship hosts. These relationships are more than short-term assignments; they\u2019re part of your long-term professional network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editor\u2019s note: This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity<\/em>.<\/p>\n","protected":false,"raw":"\n\n\n\n\n

Muhammad Ikbal Putera, a second-year Ph.D. candidate studying parks, recreation and tourism management at the College of Natural Resources, recently completed a summer internship at Hawai\u2019i Volcanoes National Park<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Established in 1916, Hawai\u2019i Volcanoes National Park encompasses more than 300,000 acres on the southeastern side of the island of Hawai'i and is home to two active volcanoes: Mauna Loa and Kilauea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Putera interned at Hawai\u2018i Volcanoes National Park through the National Park Service\u2019s International Volunteers-in-Parks Program, which provides opportunities for international students and professionals to volunteer in United States national parks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hailing from Indonesia, Putera has served as the advanced forest ecosystems manager at Komodo National Park for over a decade. He earned a master's degree in forest resources and conservation from the University of Florida through the USAID-CIFOR Fellowship Program in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Putera enrolled in the College of Natural Resources in 2024. His studies, which focus on youth engagement and conservation education in protected areas and World Heritage Sites, are fully funded by the prestigious Fulbright Indonesia Scholarship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Hawai\u2018i Volcanoes National Park, Putera spent two months with the Interpretation and Education Division. His responsibilities included shadowing rangers, leading interpretive programs, supporting youth education efforts, and deepening his understanding of Hawaiian ecosystems and cultural values.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Whether walking across the lava crust of the K\u012blauea Iki Trail, interpreting Anchialine Pond ecosystems, or photographing ancient petroglyphs, every day was filled with learning and meaningful engagement,\" Putera said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added, \"I gained valuable hands-on experience in visitor interpretation, cultural storytelling and conservation education, guided by several outstanding mentors at Hawai\u2018i Volcanoes National Park.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Putera extended his gratitude to Dean Gallagher, Mequette Gallegos, Keoni Kaholo\u02bb\u0101\u02bba, Dani Ciccone and K\u016bpono McDaniel, all rangers at Hawai\u2018i Volcanoes National Park, for their guidance during his internship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We recently caught up with Putera to discuss his internship at Hawai\u2019i Volcanoes National Park. Check out the Q&A below to learn more about his experience and how it's contributed to his professional journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did you find out about this internship and why were you interested in it?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Muhammad Ikbal Putera<\/strong>: From the world\u2019s largest lizard to the world\u2019s most active volcano, both Komodo National Park and Hawai\u2018i Volcanoes National Park are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Biosphere Reserves. This symbolic connection immediately caught my attention when I came across the International Volunteers-in-Parks Program on the National Park Service website. I applied directly by email and, after a six-month process, was honored to be accepted and placed at Hawai\u2018i Volcanoes National Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was especially interested in this internship because it aligned closely with both my professional role as a senior park ranger in Komodo and my doctoral research at NC State. I wanted to learn how U.S. national parks, particularly Hawai\u2018i Volcanoes, integrate cultural interpretation, community engagement, and youth education into their conservation practices. The park\u2019s strong emphasis on Indigenous knowledge and its community-based approach to interpretation made it the ideal place to expand my skills and perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was the most interesting or surprising part of this internship experience?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Putera<\/strong>: What stood out most during my internship was how thoughtfully Hawai\u2018i Volcanoes National Park weaves Indigenous Hawaiian knowledge into its interpretive practices. Rather than treating culture and science as separate, the park embraces a holistic approach where spiritual beliefs, language and ancestral knowledge guide how visitors experience the landscape. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This perspective resonated deeply with me and reminded of Indigenous conservation beliefs in Indonesia. In Komodo, for example, the local tribe believes each person is born as twins \u2014one human and one Komodo dragon \u2014 instilling a spiritual responsibility to protect the species. Both cultures view nature not as a resource to manage, but as a family to respect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did the College of Natural Resources prepare you for this internship?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Putera:<\/strong> The College of Natural Resources, through the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management, has fully supported my internship at Hawai\u2018i Volcanoes National Park. With the continuous mentorship of my academic advisor, Yu-Fai Leung<\/a>, I successfully obtained a travel grant that enabled my trip to Hilo and made this opportunity possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This internship aligned perfectly with my doctoral research on youth-focused conservation education. Hawai\u2018i Volcanoes National Park serves as an excellent U.S.-based case study, as it runs similar youth programs \u2014 such as the Youth Ranger Internship Program \u2014 that closely reflect the Ranger Goes to School initiative I helped design in Komodo National Park. Observing and contributing to their program gave me invaluable comparative insight into how national parks in different cultural contexts engage youth in conservation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your long-term goals and how does this internship factor in?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Putera:<\/strong><\/strong> One of my long-term goals is to help redefine the role of park rangers \u2014 not only as guardians of wildlife, but also as educators, community leaders, and facilitators of youth conservation engagement. Across different countries and contexts, park rangers face similar challenges and share a deep commitment to protecting nature. This internship reminded me of the value of global peer learning and the powerful impact of cross-cultural collaboration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While I remain open to where my journey leads, I envision several possible paths forward. I may return to Indonesia and take on a leadership role in national park management, where the combination of field experience and academic training could be especially impactful. I also see myself contributing as an assistant professor \u2014equipping future leaders with both grassroots understanding and global perspective, while continuing to promote the importance of youth education in conservation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What advice would you give students who are looking for internships?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Putera:<\/strong><\/strong> Never be afraid to ask. Even if you think your email might go unanswered \u2014 send it anyway. Some of the best opportunities begin with a simple question. Talk to your advisor or professors. Ask for their guidance and support, and demonstrate that you're genuinely motivated to learn. Pursue internships that challenge you or take you outside your comfort zone. The best internships don\u2019t just build your resume \u2014 they help clarify your purpose and expand your worldview in unexpected ways. Equally important: maintain clear and professional communication with your internship hosts. These relationships are more than short-term assignments; they\u2019re part of your long-term professional network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editor\u2019s note: This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity<\/em>.<\/p>\n"},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Putera, a second-year Ph.D. candidate studying parks, recreation and tourism management, recently completed a two-month placement in the Interpretation and Education Division at Hawai\u2019i Volcanoes National Park.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":171,"featured_media":40166,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"source":"","ncst_custom_author":"","ncst_show_custom_author":false,"ncst_dynamicHeaderBlockName":"ncst\/default-post-header","ncst_dynamicHeaderData":"{\"displayCategoryID\":189,\"showAuthor\":true,\"showDate\":true,\"showFeaturedVideo\":false}","ncst_content_audit_freq":"","ncst_content_audit_date":"","ncst_content_audit_display":false,"ncst_backToTopFlag":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1,102,189],"tags":[89,83,58,42,84],"_ncst_magazine_issue":[],"class_list":["post-40138","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hidden-news","category-hidden-newswire","category-student-success","tag-graduate-programs","tag-hands-on-learning","tag-internships","tag-parks-recreation-and-tourism-management","tag-student-profile"],"displayCategory":{"term_id":189,"name":"Student Success","slug":"student-success","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":189,"taxonomy":"category","description":"Connect with the students who call the College of Natural Resources their home away from home. From forestry to sports management, our graduates strive to take their learning beyond the classroom and apply it in ways that will enhance local communities and their environment.","parent":0,"count":222,"filter":"raw"},"acf":{"ncst_posts_meta_modified_date":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40138","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/171"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40138"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40138\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":40198,"href":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40138\/revisions\/40198"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40166"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40138"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40138"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40138"},{"taxonomy":"_ncst_magazine_issue","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/_ncst_magazine_issue?post=40138"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}