{"id":40213,"date":"2025-08-25T13:09:29","date_gmt":"2025-08-25T17:09:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/?p=40213"},"modified":"2025-09-18T16:32:47","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T20:32:47","slug":"natural-resources-summer-2025-internships","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/2025\/08\/natural-resources-summer-2025-internships\/","title":{"rendered":"Natural Resources Students Gain Hands-On Career Experience Through Summer Internships"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n

This summer, College of Natural Resources students participated in internships across various industries to gain hands-on experience in their desired career fields \u2014 from pulp and paper manufacturing to land management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students stepped into roles that helped them gain the competencies, clarity and confidence to pursue meaningful careers that better our planet, communities, industries, economy and the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unpacking the Basics of Pulp and Paper Production<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
College of Natural Resources student Diem-Mi Nguyen stands in front of a paper machine at Sappi’s Somerset Mill. Photo provided<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Diem-Mi Nguyen, a second-year student majoring in paper science and engineering, interned at Sappi\u2019s Somerset Mill<\/a> in central Maine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Located on 2,500 acres of land, Somerset Mill is an \u201cintegrated pulping and papermaking operation\u201d where the company manufactures graphic papers, packaging, label papers and bleached chemical pulp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nguyen worked with the mill’s engineers and other employees to conduct maintenance, testing and other services on three paper machines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I\u2019m glad I had the opportunity to take this internship because it taught me what I like about working in a paper mill and what I don\u2019t like,” Nguyen said.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n \n
\n \n Read more<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Empowering Conservation Through Storytelling<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
College of Natural Resources student Kairavi Gard\u00e9 poses in front of the National Geographic Society’s logo \u2014 the bright yellow rectangular that serves as a frame for the organization’s magazine covers and is also used as a logo for its many other ventures. Photo provided<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Kairavi Gard\u00e9, a third-year student majoring in environmental sciences and sociology, interned with the National Geographic Society in Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit that supports scientists, educators, and storytellers who conduct research and lead conservation programs. It is most widely recognized for its iconic flagship magazine, National Geographic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gard\u00e9 served as an alumni engagement intern with the organization\u2019s education and community engagement team. Her primary responsibilities included co-creating impact stories and supporting youth and educator programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSometimes, I was learning from experienced educators about how their work with the Society had changed their paths and creating immersive StoryMaps with the stories they shared,\u201d Gard\u00e9 said. \u201cOther times, I was analyzing qualitative data or collecting it through surveys.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

\n \n
\n \n Read more<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Educating and Inspiring National Park Visitors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
College of Natural Resources student Muhammad Ikbal Putera stands in a rainforest in Hawai\u02bbi Volcanoes National Park. Photo provided<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Muhammad Ikbal Putera, a second-year Ph.D. candidate studying parks, recreation and tourism management, interned at Hawai\u2019i Volcanoes National Park<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Putera shadowed rangers, led interpretive programs, supported youth education efforts, and deepened his understanding of Hawaiian ecosystems and cultural values. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhether 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,\u201d Putera said.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n \n
\n \n Read more<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Leveraging Geospatial Data for Forest Monitoring<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
Center for Geospatial Analytics student Titilayo Tajudeen assisted with the operation of a UAV equipped with sensors to capture hyperspectral and LiDAR datasets, enabling detailed analysis of tree locations and characteristics. Photo provided<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Titilayo Tajudeen, a third-year Ph.D. candidate studying geospatial analytics, interned with Weyerhaeuser Company<\/a> in Centralia, Washington.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weyerhaeuser Company sustainably grows, harvests and sells trees from its timberland holdings. It also manufactures wood and pulp products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tajudeen utilized unmanned aerial vehicles outfitted with sensors to capture geospatial data of the company’s lands, enabling detailed analysis of tree locations and characteristics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis combination of field and analytical work provided me with a well-rounded perspective on applying remote sensing technology to real-world environmental challenges,\u201d Tajudeen said.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n \n
\n \n Read more<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n\n <\/div>\n\n\n

Related<\/h2>\n \n
\n
\n \"\"\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n

Building Career Readiness Skills With Hands-On Learning<\/h3>\n

College of Natural Resources students participate in internships and other hands-on learning experiences to develop practical skills and gain real-world industry insights to become well-rounded graduates that employers know will hit the ground running.<\/p>\n

\n Read more<\/span>\n \n \n <\/use>\n <\/svg>\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/aside>\n","protected":false,"raw":"\n\n\n\n\n

This summer, College of Natural Resources students participated in internships across various industries to gain hands-on experience in their desired career fields \u2014 from pulp and paper manufacturing to land management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students stepped into roles that helped them gain the competencies, clarity and confidence to pursue meaningful careers that better our planet, communities, industries, economy and the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unpacking the Basics of Pulp and Paper Production<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
College of Natural Resources student Diem-Mi Nguyen stands in front of a paper machine at Sappi's Somerset Mill. Photo provided<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Diem-Mi Nguyen, a second-year student majoring in paper science and engineering, interned at Sappi\u2019s Somerset Mill<\/a> in central Maine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Located on 2,500 acres of land, Somerset Mill is an \u201cintegrated pulping and papermaking operation\u201d where the company manufactures graphic papers, packaging, label papers and bleached chemical pulp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nguyen worked with the mill's engineers and other employees to conduct maintenance, testing and other services on three paper machines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"I\u2019m glad I had the opportunity to take this internship because it taught me what I like about working in a paper mill and what I don\u2019t like,\" Nguyen said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Empowering Conservation Through Storytelling<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
College of Natural Resources student Kairavi Gard\u00e9 poses in front of the National Geographic Society's logo \u2014 the bright yellow rectangular that serves as a frame for the organization's magazine covers and is also used as a logo for its many other ventures. Photo provided<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Kairavi Gard\u00e9, a third-year student majoring in environmental sciences and sociology, interned with the National Geographic Society in Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit that supports scientists, educators, and storytellers who conduct research and lead conservation programs. It is most widely recognized for its iconic flagship magazine, National Geographic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gard\u00e9 served as an alumni engagement intern with the organization\u2019s education and community engagement team. Her primary responsibilities included co-creating impact stories and supporting youth and educator programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSometimes, I was learning from experienced educators about how their work with the Society had changed their paths and creating immersive StoryMaps with the stories they shared,\u201d Gard\u00e9 said. \u201cOther times, I was analyzing qualitative data or collecting it through surveys.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Educating and Inspiring National Park Visitors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
College of Natural Resources student Muhammad Ikbal Putera stands in a rainforest in Hawai\u02bbi Volcanoes National Park. Photo provided<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Muhammad Ikbal Putera, a second-year Ph.D. candidate studying parks, recreation and tourism management, interned at Hawai\u2019i Volcanoes National Park<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Putera shadowed rangers, led interpretive programs, supported youth education efforts, and deepened his understanding of Hawaiian ecosystems and cultural values. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhether 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,\u201d Putera said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Leveraging Geospatial Data for Forest Monitoring<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
Center for Geospatial Analytics student Titilayo Tajudeen assisted with the operation of a UAV equipped with sensors to capture hyperspectral and LiDAR datasets, enabling detailed analysis of tree locations and characteristics. Photo provided<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Titilayo Tajudeen, a third-year Ph.D. candidate studying geospatial analytics, interned with Weyerhaeuser Company<\/a> in Centralia, Washington.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weyerhaeuser Company sustainably grows, harvests and sells trees from its timberland holdings. It also manufactures wood and pulp products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tajudeen utilized unmanned aerial vehicles outfitted with sensors to capture geospatial data of the company's lands, enabling detailed analysis of tree locations and characteristics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis combination of field and analytical work provided me with a well-rounded perspective on applying remote sensing technology to real-world environmental challenges,\u201d Tajudeen said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

From pulp and paper manufacturing to land management, students stepped into roles that helped them gain the competencies, clarity and confidence to pursue meaningful careers in their desired fields.<\/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":[21,362,259,89,83,58,22,42,84],"_ncst_magazine_issue":[],"class_list":["post-40213","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hidden-news","category-hidden-newswire","category-student-success","tag-center-for-geospatial-analytics","tag-forestry-and-environmental-resources","tag-geospatial-analytics","tag-graduate-programs","tag-hands-on-learning","tag-internships","tag-paper-science-and-engineering","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\/40213","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=40213"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40213\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":40368,"href":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40213\/revisions\/40368"}],"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=40213"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40213"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40213"},{"taxonomy":"_ncst_magazine_issue","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/_ncst_magazine_issue?post=40213"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}