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Megan Stein Intern Report ,

I stumbled upon a job opening that described an opening for a position that involved writing, design, and social media. As an agricultural education and communications major specializing in communication, this job opening practically described my coursework. To say my interest was piqued is an understatement. After being offered the position of communications and outreach media intern, my first day at the UF Water Institute was mid-September.

I was immediately put to work on my favorite project of my time at the UF Water Institute, creating posters for the newly selected faculty fellows. I got to interview four very diverse and passionate people about their line of work and how they got to where they are today. This was certainly an eye-opening experience as I was only working on my first post-secondary degree and these individuals have not only doctorates, but in some cases fjords named after them. I quickly came to the realization that I had a lot to learn about the dynamic world of hydrology and water-related research.

Over the next ten months, my perspective on the world of research has been transformed. I have interviewed countless researchers about their focus areas and learned the important lesson of googling subjects before asking questions about them. My appreciation for the dedication of researchers has certainly grown and my respect has deepened.

I am very thankful for the opportunity for me to spread my horizons into science communication. This has allowed me to broaden my experience into new fields and widened my skillset beyond what previous internships have shown me. I have greatly appreciated my time at the UF Water Institute.

From here, I am moving to College Station, TX. I have received a fellowship from Texas A&M University to pursue a Master’s degree in agricultural leadership, education, and communication specializing in leadership. I hope to work in the agricultural industry for a few years before returning to the University of Florida to pursue a doctorate in a related field.