Topic > Internship Experiences

It is difficult to summarize in a few paragraphs my months of internship experience at the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Environmental Health, Food Safety, and Food Sanitation Program (ADEC/EH/FSS), Anchorage , Alaska . However, I would like to start by thanking the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) for providing me with a wonderful internship opportunity with the Alaska Department of Conservation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for funding this internship. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay There has always been a general perception in people's minds about Alaska that it is a snow-covered plain where Eskimos live in igloos, fishing and wondering about nature. For me, however, the perspective is completely different. Alaska is more than just covered in snow: it's an indescribable landscape. Getting involved in so many adventurous things like hiking, kayaking, cruising, fishing, getting close to wildlife, camping, in Alaska, the mesmerizing and alluring beauty is worth praising. Being an international student from a developing country, where it is difficult to get opportunities, getting this internship will always be rewarding for me. This internship gave me much more than I expected. It provided me with the opportunity to get involved in meaningful projects, learn new skills and understand workplace policies, norms and expectations, which helped me broaden my knowledge and explore my areas of interest. Like all other interns, I too have similar experiences working with professionals in their respective fields, interacting with people and learning new things every day. There was a slight difficulty in adapting to the new environment, especially when coming from another part of the world. However, my supervisor and other staff members were friendly, cooperative, and their constructive criticism was helpful. There were times when I felt like an outsider, but this particular situation taught me to avoid negativities in life as it is just a misuse of our imagination and once we replace negative thoughts with positive ones, we end up having positive results. These ten weeks of internship were a kind of joyful learning process. I simply admire the ADEC Food Safety and Sanitation program for having me as an intern and shaping me personally and professionally. ADEC/FSS works to protect public health in regulated foods, seafood and public facilities. During my period of employment I accompanied EH officers on several inspections. I have conducted inspections of food establishments, seafood and shellfish processors, and tattoo studios to review licensing requirements and evaluate sanitation practices in the facility. These inspections were very informative for me as I learned about inspection procedures and food code violations by different facilities. I had the opportunity to fly on a seaplane to Prince William Sound, one of Alaska's majestic beauties, for shellfish inspection and water sampling. That was my first experience ever flying in a small plane and believe me, it was worth every little adrenaline rush. Flying high above the mountains and ocean, taking in the breathtaking views, a boat ride to oyster farms, learning about shellfish farming, and interacting with local shellfish farmers about sanitary practices sums up a day trip..