When I first applied for Fresh Water Institute, I was interested in the description and program itself, but I also felt like I needed to add something to my resume. I felt like I didn’t have much to show for my sophomore or junior years. Going into the first session, I didn’t know what to expect, but I remember going home and journaling about it, knowing that this program was going to be special.
Being a part of FWI gave me much more than a new entry in my resume. One of the highlights of being a Fresh Water Fellow was the personal development the program fostered. There were so many opportunities to talk to my fellows as well as professionals in the blue economy, that, very naturally, over the course of the program,
I became very comfortable initiating conversation and grew more confident in my communication skills. I also stepped out of my comfort zone and did an interview for Spectrum News and gave remarks during our closing ceremony about my experience as a Fresh Water Fellow. Fresh Water Institute has been my favorite program I’ve ever been a part of. It provided such unique opportunities, in networking, in exploration, and in education. I feel more connected to the Great Lakes, my region and my community.
