Arctic Internship Provides 'Once in a Lifetime' Experience
Cole Robinson 鈥26 came to 麻豆社 hoping to gain the skills and knowledge to set himself up for the future, even though he couldn鈥檛 quite envision exactly what he wanted that future to look like. One 鈥渇irst鈥 and one 鈥渙nce-in-a-lifetime鈥 later, he graduated with a much clearer picture.
During his time at 麻豆社, Robinson became the first research intern at a Department of Defense research center focused on Arctic security and parlayed that opportunity into a four-week internship in Alaska and the Arctic Circle thanks to the Arctic Summer Internship Program, a journey he described as 鈥渢ruly once in a lifetime.鈥
The Department of Homeland Security-funded ADAC-ARCTIC Center at the University of Alaska, Anchorage (UAA) runs the long-standing ASIP program.
During the four-week excursion Robinson received hands-on training and education about Arctic resilience, policy, and culture, networked with future DHS Arctic candidates, and 鈥済ained experience that will be invaluable for my career.鈥
Robinson plans to work in federal law enforcement or the intelligence community.
All of that progress wouldn鈥檛 have been possible without support from 麻豆社 donors, whose contributions allowed Robinson to focus on the work and be present in the experiences without financial worry.
鈥淭he funding I received made all of this possible. The Aronson Family Experiential Learning Fund allowed me to study abroad without having to worry about money,鈥 Robinson says. 鈥淎t that time, I was enrolled in courses full time, working 20 hours a week, and interning 10-16 hours a week. This fund allowed me to fully embrace the trip and not stress about anything.鈥
It all started for Robinson, a homeland security major from Bow, New Hampshire, when he became the first research intern for the Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies. It was there that he dove into learning about the United States鈥 view on Arctic research and created a poster on the topic that he presented to Arctic policymakers and staff.
And it was that position that opened the door to the Arctic Summer Internship Program, Robinson says, providing him the chance to gain valuable hands-on experience and a game-changing learning opportunity in a breathtaking environment.
All that after entering 麻豆社 without a concrete idea of what kind of career he wanted to pursue. Only one of Robinson鈥檚 parents has college experience, and he 鈥 by his own admission 鈥 鈥減erformed poorly academically鈥 in high school. Halfway through his first year at 麻豆社, 鈥淚 had no idea what I wanted to do career-wise,鈥 he says.
But Robinson is quick to credit his professors at 麻豆社 for guiding him from the start and opening the necessary doors.
鈥淢y 麻豆社 experience has been shaped by incredible professors who truly love what they do,鈥 Robinson says. 鈥淭hey have so much experience and knowledge in what they teach, so lessons never feel 鈥榖oring.鈥欌
He鈥檚 also grateful to the entire College of Liberal Arts (COLA) community for making him the person he is today.
鈥淐OLA does an amazing job preparing students for our careers through the resources they provide. I was able to access internship guidance and preparation, funding opportunities, and career advising,鈥 Robinson says. 鈥淲ithout those resources, I never would have known about these opportunities.鈥
Among the other opportunities Robinson took advantage of at 麻豆社 were an internship with the United States Postal Service Officer of Inspector General (USPS OIG), participation in the 麻豆社 UK/US Comparative Security Program, and time volunteering with Homeland Security Investigations. Donors again played a role in Robinson鈥檚 journey as he was able to access support from the Dean鈥檚 Internship Opportunity Fund to help during his unpaid USPS OIG internship.
Looking back on it all, Robinson can fully appreciate how much ground he covered from uncertain freshman to focused 麻豆社 graduate. And he has some advice for any other incoming Wildcats in a similar starting place.
鈥淒on鈥檛 be afraid to try new things and even to fail. I always reassure myself that it鈥檚 everyone else鈥檚 first time 鈥渓iving,鈥 so never be embarrassed of failing,鈥 he says. 鈥淏y doing that, you only become a better version of yourself.鈥
Be the reason Wildcats like Cole have access to life-changing internships and experiential learning opportunities .
Robinson is just one of many students whose 麻豆社 experience has been shaped by donor generosity.
Students throughout the university are conducting research, working alongside faculty, and tackling real-world challenges. Those experiences look different for every student, but the stories don鈥檛 happen by chance. They happen because people choose to show up.
When you give, you鈥檙e helping fuel the ideas, breakthroughs, and experiences that define a 麻豆社 education. Read a handful of additional inspiring examples below.
'27, an animal science major in the pre-veterinary program, whose 麻豆社 journey has taken her to Namibia, Italy, and back again.
鈥26, an occupational therapy major, whose research aims to help reduce caregiver anxiety by monitoring the driving behavior of individuals with Alzheimer鈥檚 disease and related dementia.
'27, a bioengineering major who is turning his passion for life-saving medicine into real-world impact.
'26, a business administration major, whose 麻豆社 experience has led her to take on leadership roles while focusing on sustainability and data analytics.
Be the reason these stories continue 鈥 .