Skills

My experiences at both Washington College and Stockton College have provided me the opportunity to gain important skills which will prepare me for a career in environmental science. I experienced a lot of lab work in my two years at Washington College. The majority of my lab experience took place in the biology lab where I studied the effects of pesticides on the microbial life living in freshwater habitats. Stockton has provided me with the most important hands on experience due to the school’s location. I have had many opportunities to go out in the field. Stockton has a larger than normal campus that is made up of Pineland forest where I have had the opportunity to study and gain an understanding of its ecology and geological processes.

In my Ecological Principles lab I had the chance to experience being in the field. I learned how to identify over 50 species native to New Jersey’s Pinelands using a field guide. I now know where to anticipate on finding many of these species based off different natural elements. Elements like elevation, moisture, and the density of the forest predetermine where a lot of these species can grow. In one lab I learned techniques in sampling mud and sticks from creeks to find different insects. I learned how to collect water samples so it can be tested for its pH level and salt concentration. This experience helped me later on in the semester for a group project. Our group surveyed Stockton’s amphibian populations and determined where they would most likely be found based off of pH levels from accumulated water samples of the different vernal ponds.

 One class in particular at Stockton has provided me a different but just as important type of experience. In Environmental Issues I have gained experience in the field of sustainability. I learned the extent of auditing a residential home’s energy consumption by using a specific auditing program. I also worked with a group in planning a waste audit for Caesar’s Casino in Atlantic City. I am currently working with a group of students in developing a rain garden. The garden will decrease Stockton’s contribution to runoff and develop environmental awareness for Stockton’s student body.