Intern Experience of Madeline Weigner

PIMS Intern Report

Madeline Weigner

July - September 2007

When I first applied for a position at the Perry Institute on Lee Stocking Island, I was not quite sure what to expect. Having just finished my sophomore year at Smith College, I lack much of the field experience that many internships look for in their applicants. Thrilled to be accepted to participate in what was to be an incredible summer, I packed my bags, eager for adventure. What I found on LSI was to be one of the most grueling summers of my life - but it also turned out to be the best!

Within the first few weeks after my arrival, my duties were made clear to me: cleaning, water taxi runs, cleaning, painting, cleaning, beach cleanup, NOAA CREWS station maintenance, cleaning, dive and lab support, and more cleaning! With very limited staff, PIMS has had to rely on the few people that are on the island to keep everything running. This summer became more than just my ability to follow orders and get my work done; it included what I was willing to learn and how quickly I was willing to learn it.

Throughout the summer, I had many successes and failures; I had good days and bad days; I had easy days and hard days. So much depended on what I put into my work. I learned so much from LSI and the people that I met and worked with there. Their willingness to teach and let me learn has given me more than I could ever imagine: an LSI summer not just of science and diving, but one of growing and of living.

<< Back