Matt Schiffner completes his BLM internship
by Vicki Heisser |
PWSC student Matt Schiffner is about to end his 6-week internship with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Glennallen Field Office and return to PWSC. Before he returns to school to complete his outdoor leadership program, Matt took time to share what a great experience he had during his internship and all the support he received from the staff at BLM.
Internships expose students to experiences they would have in a particular profession. Matt learned the Bureau of Land Management's mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Although he was introduced to all the operations of the Field Office, he worked mostly maintaining public facilities in the campgrounds.
“The internship was great! It was an incredible learning experience…I learned how to maintain water lines, install hand sanitizer dispensers, properly clean outhouses, and so much more. I also learned more about subsistence hunting, and the process involved in issuing permits.”
When asked how he was supported during his internship, Matt praised his supervisor, Jan Miller, Outdoor Recreation Planner, for all her support. “She would always allow me to give input as to what things I would be assigned to do that week. Additionally, she has been immensely helpful in terms of working with me on building my resume, so that I will qualify for higher graded positions in the future”
While Miller was great to work with, so too were all of the Glennallen staff members.“I worked with many different people within the Glennallen field office, and everyone has been so welcoming and warm-hearted. They covered the cost of my food and lodging on a trip to Delta Junction, and even rented me a camper van when I was staying at one of our campgrounds for 10 days.”
For more information about internship opportunities like Matt’s, please email Vicki Heisser at vheisser@alaska.edu, or view more information on our website.