Evan Harms, an Honors College senior majoring in environmental studies with minors in park management
and digital media production, completed an internship in 2019 as a naturalist with Cleveland
Evan found out about this internship position through the Cleveland Metroparks website; he was searching for similar internships throughout the region, and he says that this one 鈥渨orked really well鈥� for him. Evan says he was also drawn to the environmental justice component of CanalWay Center: many of the school groups that visit the center are composed of urban children who generally have less access to natural areas and the benefits they provide, and Evan says that to be able to inspire these kids through nature 鈥渃an have huge impacts for communities down the road.鈥� Evan was very pleased to know that the Honors College would accept his internship for honors credit. He had a vision of what he wanted to do and how his internship experience would coincide with his major, and he says that Brittany Thomas, his honors advisor, provided him with 鈥渁ll the logistical support and information鈥� that he needed to accomplish his goals.
While Evan says there is 鈥渘o doubt鈥� that he has had great professors and taken worthwhile courses at Kent State, his two (going on three) seasons working with Cleveland Metroparks have been 鈥渨hat makes everything coalesce.鈥� He says that he has not only learned about local organisms and ecosystems but also how to share his love for this knowledge with others, as well as how to get along with coworkers and interact with the public. Evan says that he feels he has 鈥渁 solid foundation for a career in outdoor and environmental education鈥� after he graduates.
When asked what advice he has for students who are considering and looking for internships, Evan鈥檚 advice is to 鈥渟eek quality, not prestige.鈥� It is important for students to intern in a place where they have good relationships with the other workers, where they know their work is valued, and where they can have 鈥渙pportunities to grow and connect鈥� in their field. Every internship site will have its advantages and disadvantages: in Evan鈥檚 case, while he may not be exposed to the vast wealth of biodiversity offered by some national parks, he knows that his 鈥減resence and work in [his internship] matters to [his] coworkers, the community, and [his] fellow organisms.鈥� Internships can also help students learn what they don鈥檛 want from their career just as much as they learn what is important to them. Because an internship is a temporary position, it is a great beginning learning opportunity, and Evan notes that it is 鈥渋mportant to reflect objectively on your experiences.鈥�
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PHOTO CAPTION 1:
Photo of Evan Harms, Honors College senior, wearing his uniform at the Ohio and Erie Canal Reservation.
Media Contact:
Stephanie Moskal, smoskal@kent.edu, (330) 672-2312
