2008 Woodie Awards
Getting on the map
Senior Jackie Karsten is one of 11 nationwide selected for a National Geographic internship
by Nia Jonesz
Issue date: 1/17/08
Section: Campus News
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But things were different for senior Jackie Karsten when she got a life changing e-mail. The sender was National Geographic and the subject was Karsten's acceptance as an intern at one of the most popular magazines in circulation.
"I was shaking," Karsten said. "I wanted to call my friends and family but I really couldn't move."
Under the circumstances, her reaction was understandable. For college students, just getting a paid internship is like winning the lottery, much less being one of 11 interns selected nationwide to live in Washington, D.C., during fall semester 2008 and learn from experts about the environment, animals and science.
The possibility of Karsten applying for the internship came up during a conversation with the chair of the geography department. Though Karsten - a geography major and photography minor - was a top performer academically, she wasn't sure how she would stand out from the competition. Yet she sent her essay, resume and references off with high hopes
"I thought I had a shot, a long one, but I figured I might as well go for it," Karsten said.
Karsten happened upon her love of geography by accident. She decided to enroll in a physical geography class and was inspired by the teacher. Karsten credits her advisor Ginger Schmidt for cementing her belief that geography was for her. But according to Karsten's father Dale, her interest in the subject wasn't much of a surprise.
"We subscribed to National Geographic while the girls were growing up," he said. "I've always tried to encourage their curiosity of nature and the world around them."
Karsten's mother, Yvonne Cariveau, who holds a Ph.D. in marketing and child psychology played a big role in Karsten's work ethic and future plans to continue her education. She hopes to eventually get her own doctorate and have the opportunity to teach and help advance geographical knowledge. Combine Karsten's good grades, love of geography and passion for photography and it's no wonder National Geographic appealed to her.
Karsten will be one of seven interns working in the education and children's division. She speculates that her duties will include dealing with teacher curriculum, geography bees and cartography.
"It will be an awesome opportunity for her." Karsten's father said. " It sounds like the kind of thing she'd be all about."
Karsten agrees: I'm thrilled to learn a vast amount of things from the other employees at NGS and I think the internship will help me hone in on what I want to specialize in for my career," she said. "It seems like there are boundless things I could get out of this internship. I inevitably will get pushed out of my comfort zone, and I want that push out of my norm because I don't think I'm capable of my best work if I feel comfortable with where I'm at."
As far as making the move to Washington D.C., Karsten said she is more excited than nervous. The internship board of directors helps find everything from host families to affordable apartments near the magazine.
According to press.nationalgeographic.com, the magazine has about 40 million readers worldwide and alliances with educators in all 50 states. National Geographic puts on a nationally televised annual geography bee and sponsors a photography workshop program for urban youth. The magazine is also home to the JASON Foundation for Education, which provides "experience-based science curricula and professional development for grades 4-8."
National Geographic is also in the midst of a program called My Wonderful World, "A five-year multimedia, public-engagement campaign to help U.S. students improve geographic literacy."
With her dream internship now made reality, Karsten has the whole world in front of her…literally.
"This internship will be a great opportunity to push myself to a new level in all aspects of my life," she said.
Nia Jonesz is the Reporter assistant news editor
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