From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Congaree River

19 May From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Congaree River

Hello!

My name is Dominique Sanchez and I am a recent graduate of James Madison University. I received my B.S. in Biology, with a concentration in Ecology and Environmental Biology, and two minors, Geographic Science and Environmental Science.

Through my studies as a Biology major and my own experiences out in nature, I knew I wanted to work in the field right out of college. Thankfully, I came across the Mosaics in Science internship through NPS! With a variety of positions across the country, it was very hard to choose which national park I wanted to apply to. After a few interviews, I accepted a position at Congaree National Park in South Carolina as a Stream Assesment Specialist. I can’t be more excited to start this upcoming Monday! It will be my first time in South Carolina, and I plan on taking full advantage of it this summer by exploring the state when I have some free time. As a Stream Assesment Specialist, I will be collecting data of the floodplain both in and around the park. In college, I took classes where I experienced similar fieldwork, so I feel prepared and excited about my work this summer.

I know there will be long, hot, humid, mosquito-ridden days in front of me, but I think this will just add to the experience even more! My job in college required me to be outside most of the time, and even when I wasn’t working I still took advantage of being in the mountains by going on various hikes.