On April 19, 2023, John Pearce (USGS Alaska Science Center) and Anita Kroska (FAST Lab/APU) organized a lunch meeting to highlight the excellent work conducted by APU students with USGS scientists. Starting in 2022, APU students have had the opportunity to apply for USGS Direct Hire internship positions where they work directly with USGS scientists on projects. These projects often serve as experience for junior practicum, content for student senior projects, and as a great internship work experience.
Recent students in this program were invited to the lunch meeting during the April 19th poster session to discuss their project work and experiences with the program. Students present included Toshio Matsuoka, Sylvia Taylor, Morgan Vanzant, Emily Racenet, Jesse Byrd, and Claire VanPelt. APU faculty advisors to the students and APU staff also attended, which included Brad Harris, Roman Dial, and Anita Kroska. USGS scientists who worked with the students were also present for the meeting, as well as USGS Ecosystems Mission Area program coordinators who were visiting from the USGS headquarters office in Reston, Virginia.
At the meeting, participants discussed the program, additional ways to collaborate with students and faculty, and how to further promote the Direct Hire internship program among APU students and faculty. APU’s faculty and staff hope to continue to foster these connections with our neighbors at USGS.
