In the Words of our Past Interns
Our staff have mentored over 30 high school and college students. The following are comments from past interns that worked with our Founder and Executive Director (Rebecca Means), the VP of our Board (Kellie Keys), and our Intern Supervisor (Maddie Snuggs) in their past roles at Coastal Plains Institute. Conservation Pathways stemmed from our past experiences at CPI, the realization of a huge gap in student experiences, and the need for an organization to help bridge those gaps.
Makena Lang
My internship was very transformative. Not only did I strengthen my skills in scientific research and public outreach, but I formed invaluable relationships and made connections with lots of inspiring people in the field
Griff Markowitz
Working with Rebecca and Maddie was an amazing experience! These two wonderful women provided me with the support to succeed in such a unique opportunity in sustainability. They allowed me to let my personality shine through and explore every aspect I was interested in! Truly a fantastic time and they always made things fun and interesting! Thank you Rebecca and Maddie – love you guys!
Kayla Sconyers
Every day was a new adventure with new challenges to tackle and I wouldn’t have it any other way! I got to step out of my comfort zone by handling so many different species of wildlife, and as someone who wants to work with animals down the line, that is a priceless experience. I also got to be a part of educating today’s younger generations about the importance of conservation and it’s been so exciting imagining all the good they’ll do once they get to where I am! This was the absolute best way to end off my undergraduate experience, and I am so thankful for everyone I’ve come across during this internship!
Madison Fernandez
One of the hobbies that this internship nurtured was wildlife photography, and I am forever grateful for the chance to integrate creativity into my love for science.
Lore Nix
The intern swap days were always an adventure and so much fun! They especially helped all of the interns to become more aware of career opportunities, and potential avenues of research within their fields. That exposure is some of the most valuable experience I had, and I am glad I had the opportunity to make the connections I did.
Mackenzie Childs
Working with Rebecca and Maddie was an amazing experience. They became my mentors into the world of ephemeral wetland conservation and research. They encouraged me to pursue my own interests while also sharing their personal knowledge with me. The time I spent with them made me more confident in my abilities as I moved into the workforce.