SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, Pa. — For Penn State Schuylkill student Isabella Whitsel, an interest in agriculture and environmental stewardship came together this summer through a hands-on internship with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Raystown Lake.
Whitsel, a second-year agricultural science student from Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, worked as a Student Conservation Natural Resource intern at the Raystown Lake Project. The federally operated flood control facility in Huntingdon County provides flood protection, recreation, downstream fisheries enhancement, wildlife mitigation and hydropower.
As part of Penn State Schuylkill’s Co-Op Program, Whitsel gained real-world experience in environmental stewardship while working alongside conservation professionals. Her position focused on three primary areas: wildlife management, forest management and land management. Her responsibilities included assisting with threatened and endangered species, habitat management, invasive species control and artificial habitat structures.
Her daily work varied, including protecting turtle nests, removing and collecting data on invasive species, managing overgrowth on planted fruit trees and conducting deer browse surveys to support wildlife management efforts.
One of Whitsel’s most memorable experiences, she said, was working at the Riverside turtle mounds, where she helped monitor female turtles as they came ashore to lay their eggs. She collected data on the turtles, including their weight, estimated age, identification code, carapace and plastron measurements, as well as the location of each nest.
The project reached a significant milestone this year, with Whitsel and the conservation team protecting a record 50 turtle nests.
“Each morning, I would observe female turtles as they came ashore from the river to lay their eggs, ensuring that the nests were properly protected from predators,” Whitsel said.
The experience also allowed Whitsel to develop skills that she plans to carry into her future career. She said she learned to identify a variety of plant species, determine whether they were invasive, and apply appropriate treatment and removal methods. She also strengthened her communication and public speaking skills by giving “turtle talks” to visitors.
Working alongside supervisors and other interns helped Whitsel develop her teamwork and problem-solving skills while learning how to adapt to changing situations and work efficiently in an outdoor environment.
“What surprised me about my Co-Op experience was how much I was able to learn while still performing my daily job responsibilities,” Whitsel said. “It was rewarding to see how hands-on work could teach me new skills and deepen my understanding of the field.”
Whitsel first learned about the Co-Op Program from her academic adviser while scheduling her first semester of classes. She said she was drawn to the program because of its focus on building résumés, developing interview skills and providing networking opportunities.
“I decided to join the Co-Op program because it was something that genuinely interested me,” Whitsel said. “When exploring other colleges, I hadn’t come across a program like this, so I wanted to learn more about the opportunities it offered.”
The Co-Op classes helped Whitsel prepare for her internship by helping her identify her strengths, improve her résumé and strengthen her public speaking and professional communication skills. The program also provided opportunities to connect with professionals in her field and learn about potential career paths.
“The Co-Op course has helped me at Penn State Schuylkill in so many ways, but what I appreciate most is the amount of networking it has provided,” Whitsel said. “These conversations have helped me build confidence when speaking with employers and gain valuable connections and experiences that will continue to support my academic and professional growth.”
After completing her studies at Penn State Schuylkill, Whitsel said she plans to continue through the 2+2 program and transfer to Penn State’s University Park campus to complete her Agricultural Science degree. Her long-term goal is to work for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, where she hopes to work directly with farmers and landowners to implement conservation practices that protect soil health, improve water quality and promote sustainable land management.
Her Co-Op experience has helped confirm that conservation is the direction she wants to pursue.
“Working outdoors and alongside professionals in conservation allowed me to see how the things that I have learned through agriculture apply directly to protecting the environment,” Whitsel said. “This hands-on experience helped me realize how much I enjoy working in the field and contributing to projects that make a real impact.”
Through work-based learning opportunities such as the Co-Op Program, Penn State Schuylkill students can build professional skills, make industry connections and gain experience that complements their classroom education as they prepare for their careers.