For most people, Shark Week means seven days of shark-themed programming on the Discovery Channel. Rising senior Anna Dewitt ’26 had her own version of Shark Week during her internship at Baruch Marine Laboratory.
She worked with scientists from Coastal Carolina University to sample sharks in Winyah Bay. Dewitt was on their boat, learning the process, and assisted with catching, tagging, and gathering a variety of data on twelve different sharks.
“This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I am very grateful I was able to be a part of,” she said in her blog. “We caught lemon sharks, blacktip sharks, Atlantic sharpnoses, and one bull shark.”
The majority of her internship, however, focused on working with a
team of researchers learning a variety of field, laboratory, and data analysis techniques. Some days were spent in the field using nets to collect samples of living organisms. Other days were spent in the lab processing samples by identifying, measuring, counting, and weighing everything that was caught. She also assisted with data management and analysis and general upkeep of equipment and the lab.
Dewitt also helped research the number of species present in the North Inlet Estuary during high tide. When high tide comes in, all the habitats become interconnected. Many species important to local commerce use these habitats as nurseries. Which species are present in the estuary during high tide can, therefore, impact the commercial species.
“The most fun part for me is being able to help in the field,” Dewitt said. “I love handling and seeing all of the amazing animals that live in the North Inlet Estuary. I have gotten boating practice and have learned how to operate and be safe on the boat. My skill set has grown so much during this internship, and I have gained very good problem-solving skills.”
Dewitt is an ecology and evolutionary biology major and an environmental science and sustainability minor. She wanted hands-on experience with her chosen field before she graduated. With that in mind, she applied for, and was chosen, to spend the summer working at Baruch Marine Laboratory in Georgetown, South Carolina.
“I decided to do this internship because I knew that it would give me a once-in-a-lifetime experience that would also help me in my future career,” Dewitt said. “While the classroom is very important, it is also extremely helpful to see what your major or minor is going to look like in the real world. Even though it can be scary at first, it is the most important thing I have done for myself and my future.”
She said the toughest part of her summer was getting used to a new location. Coming from a small Iowa town to the East Coast was outside of her comfort zone, but it only took a couple of days until she had made connections and felt right at home.
Students interested in this specific internship will need to contact and then meet with William Harmon Norton Professor of Geology Rhawn Denniston. If chosen, the student then works with the Berry Career Institute and the Baruch lab director to work out specifics. BCI is also available to help students with other internship opportunities.
This internship is sponsored by the Rogers Fellowship in Environmental Studies. The Rogers fellowship was established by the late John Mark Dean ’58 and his wife, Robin. It was named after Dean’s mentor, biology professor T. Edwin “Ed” Rogers ’39.