by 31 July 2019
by Sydney Shaner & Claudia Banks
Today aboard R/V Atlantis, we took part in some of the most crucial activities of a research vessel. This included viewing a large pod of dolphins off the deck, collecting and dressing in breathing apparatuses and firefighting wear, mock tethering the boat to the port, and dressing in immersion suits in a relay race. The focus of this research vessel, however, is the ALVIN submersible—which we were fortunate enough to sit in this evening. The lead electrical engineer walked us through specs of the sub and answered any questions we had. It was such a unique experience that all of us students were very eagerly awaiting due to the prestigious reputation of this submersible among the scientific community.
Our instructors also gave us pertinent information regarding future internships, volunteer opportunities, and fellowships in ocean science and related fields. It was very useful to be presented this information towards the end of the cruise, having taken in what this experience has to offer and considering careers in oceanography and STEM in general. The different opportunities in USGS, NASA, and UNOLS are programs I will certainly look into in the future and I am grateful for being aware of them thanks to the instructors on this trip.
One part of the day consisted of a graduate school ‘breakout session’ with our mentor, who attends graduate school and does paleoclimate research. This was one of the things I enjoyed most on the cruise as many of our undergraduate degrees are coming to a close. It is so helpful to have someone in this environment that is available as a resource to guide us to the next step. Graduate school does not appeal to everyone, and perhaps the light our mentor shed on the subject will allow students to make a more informed decision as to whether or not they want to attend. I am looking forward to departing the ship tomorrow and exploring San Diego after such a fun and insightful day.
