CDCI Intern Insights: Nicole Fagan, ’27!

Introducing Nicole Fagan, a rising sophomore interning as a marine mammal and sea turtle rescue team intern at the New York Marine Rescue Center in Riverhead, NY! 

Nicole’s internship is part of the CDCI program, allowing her to receive credit for her internship while enrolled in CDCI 395. The course enhances internship experiences and links academic and career success. To receive credit for an internship this fall, register for CDCI 395 today!

  1. What is your major/program and year at Binghamton and what clubs/activities are you involved in?

I am an incoming sophomore (class of 2027) majoring in biology. I am involved in Habitat for Humanity, NYPIRG on the Environmental Campaign, and NSLS as a secretary and SNT co-coordinator. 

  1. Where are you interning this summer and what is your position title?

I am interning at the New York Marine Rescue Center in Riverhead, NY as a marine mammal and sea turtle rescue team intern.

  1. What are some of your responsibilities as an intern?

Some of my responsibilities include feeding the animals, cleaning the facility, and helping educate the public about marine life through rescues and releases.

  1. What has been the most challenging part of your internship, and what has been the most exciting?

The most challenging part of my internship is having confidence in myself. Sometimes when I do something I haven’t done before I ask myself if I am doing it the right way. The most exciting part is watching seals that I have been working with get to be released back into the wild. Every day I would notice more and more of each seal’s personality and it was amazing to be a part of their release.

  1. What skills are you learning at your internship?

I’ve learned so much at my internship including how to properly care for marine animals, what happens when someone finds an injured animal on the beach, how to communicate in a more professional manner, and about different sea turtles and seals in general.

  1. What is the most important lesson you have learned at your internship?

One important lesson I learned is that if we want to conserve these species, we need to be aware of our surroundings. I’ve heard about countless cases of seals being entangled in fishing nets or sea turtles being struck by boats moving too fast. Now is the time to speak out and fight to protect these species before they disappear.

  1. How have your experiences and coursework at Binghamton University prepared you for your internship?

CHEM 106, a general chemistry laboratory course, taught me how to use probes to test certain parameters. I use the same probes when I test the quality of the water in the sea turtle tanks to ensure that they are being properly cared for. I’ve also volunteered at Sweetbriar Nature Center in Smithtown, NY. There, I first learned about caring for wild animals. These skills were then transferred to my internship where I take care of over 20 sea turtles and over 5 seals each day I am at the rescue center.

  1. How is this experience shaping your career goals?

This internship has shown me one route I can take in terms of a career. I don’t know what I want to do yet, but I know that I definitely want to work with animals. Over the past couple weeks, I have somewhat narrowed down what I want to do, although I’m still unsure. With this route, I could take classes in marine biology and look for job opportunities where I would study marine life. 

  1. What is your best piece of internship-related advice to give to other students?

Each time I go on a rescue, I hope that the animal will make it back. Some do, which is great, but some don’t and it’s sad but it happens. Internships are similar in that they really help to figure out what you want your future to look like. There will be things you don’t like about your job and that’s ok. Some internships you will really enjoy and you find out what career field you want to get into. Others will show you what you don’t want to do. You may think you want to get into it at first and then realize that it’s not for you. The biggest takeaway is to just try it out, even if you don’t think you are going to like it. Get an internship to find what you are good at and make your own path. 

Additional Information:

Last week, there were a total of 6 seals released over the course of 2 days. I went to one of the releases where we released 4 seals. It was amazing to get to see these animals make their way back into their home. With the crowd cheering, I felt a sense of accomplishment that I got to give these seals a new life and now they are back where they belong. The seal release is definitely something that not many people can say they got to be a part of, but I am proud to say that I got to be a part of it.

By Valerie Stracquadanio
Valerie Stracquadanio Senior Experience Consultants