Hailey Poole's advice for new scholars
Dear Future NOAA EPP/MSI Scholar,
First things first … you made it! Congratulations! You were chosen for a very illustrious opportunity — one that you will not regret.
You filled out the application and all its requirements. Whether you turned it in months from the application due date or the day of, you are here for a reason, so give yourself a pat on the back.
If you want to know how to make the most out of your NOAA experience, here are a few tips I can give.
Hailey Poole is a 2022 EPP/MSI undergraduate scholar. (Image credit: Elvis Efamba/NOAA)
Don’t be ashamed to ask questions
Never assume, always clarify.
The program is here for your benefit. The key to making the most you can out of the program is knowing the guidelines and understanding the information being given to you, whether it is from your research mentor or the EPP/MSI team. Never assume, always clarify. Not only does it save you time to ask for clarification, but it also helps your other scholars as well.
Going further, make sure to ask your mentor everything. Ask about how they got interested in their field, what their day-to-day work life is like, anything you should know about their job, etc. Not only is it a great way to connect with your mentor, but you’re also learning as well. My mentor helped me clear up a lot of things, especially pertaining to what I wanted to do in the future, because of these kinds of discussions.
Persevere
Don’t stress and don’t stop. [The internship] might seem daunting at first, but once you take your first steps it gets easier.
You’re about to be going through a 10-week long summer internship where you work on a daily schedule of eight hours a day, forty hours a week. Don’t stress and don’t stop. It might seem daunting at first, but once you take your first steps it gets easier. I would recommend setting up a checklist so you can get day-to-day tasks finished and — I cannot stress this enough — USE YOUR CALENDAR. The due dates that seem weeks away are going to creep up on you and you should always try to get to what's due early just in case you need to make edits or submit the wrong thing. Follow through no matter what and make sure to take breaks but, above all, keep going.
Don’t procrastinate
The Golden Rule: Do not slack on anything if you can help it, especially when you need to submit forms to the EPP/MSI team. It’s inconvenient for everyone and it's always best to be prepared.
Choose a topic you’re interested in
Whatever you are passionate about and value in life will be your driving point.
This will be the most obvious tip, however it is a very important one. It’s always a good idea to get involved with something you’re interested in, whether new or familiar. NOAA is built off of people who are passionate about what they do. Whatever you are passionate about and value in life will be your driving point. Be passionate to the point of growth. It’s so much easier to learn and work with something you enjoy.
Keep in contact with your peers
One of the best things about the program is the people that you meet.
One of the best things about the program is the people that you meet. My cohort was filled with wonderful people all over the country, all with diverse backgrounds and ways of doing things. But most importantly, they were also college students going through the same program as me. Your cohort is a great way to find out information, get reminders of due dates and notifications, share some laughs, and keep up with the pace. Although you aren’t working in a group, when you see others working hard it can be great motivation for you. These people will be in your group for two years, it’s a great chance to network and make friends.
Getting accepted into the NOAA EPP/MSI Scholarship was a monumental experience for me. The opportunities it created and ideas it gave me for the future only added to the passion I have for my field. I can say that I changed for the better and am continually growing into a more productive and skilled person thanks to the program. I hope that you have the same experiences and take this advice to heart. I wish you the best of luck as you move forward.
Hailey is a 2022 EPP/MSI undergraduate scholar majoring in atmospheric science at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.
