Where are they now? Spotlight on our Previous Interns: Christian Schumacher
/What dates did you intern at Forfar Field Station?
I was an Environmental Educator at Forfar from 2021-2022.
How did the Forfar internship benefit you in your current job or your future career goals?
My time at Forfar helped solidify my passion for sustainability and environmental outreach. Working with curious students and interacting with amazing Bahamian locals has pushed me in a career direction where I want to be involved with getting people excited and involved with environmental efforts. Going forward, I will be working at the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency where I hope to put the experience and knowledge I’ve recently gained to good use.
What professional skills did you gain from the internship?
Working at Forfar allowed me to really develop my teaching and leadership skills. In a world where being able to effectively and concisely communicate your thoughts and ideas is so important, my time on Andros was invaluable.
What is the most memorable or favorite part of your Forfar internship?
A memorable moment that sticks out to me was my first time seeing dolphins. On a return trip from Joulters Cay, our boat driver, Franklin, spotted a couple dolphins in the distance, so we went off course for a closer look. As we approached, we realized that what we had thought were just 2 or 3 turned out to be a pod of 30. For the next half hour, we watched dolphins jump around, swim right up to the boat, and even jumped in ourselves to swim with them. It was truly a once in a lifetime moment that really encapsulated the natural wonder of Andros and The Bahamas.
Where is your hometown? Where are you living now?
I was born and raised in International Field Studies’ backyard, Columbus, Ohio. I’m back in Columbus for the foreseeable future while I start my full time career.
What job(s) have you had since your time at Forfar? What are your responsibilities in the role?
Since returning home from Forfar I have been working part-time with IFS in the Columbus office. In mid February, I will be starting full-time with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency as an Environmental Specialist in materials management and community outreach.
Any current hobbies or places travelled?
At the moment I’m trying to weather an Ohio winter after experiencing the year long summer that is The Bahamas. However, come spring, I’m looking forward to playing disc golf, tennis, and hiking. I’ve always enjoyed traveling to new places so I’m looking forward to planning a trip abroad with a friend this summer. I would also love to return to Andros at some point in the not so distant future.
Any other updates you would like to share with IFS?
Working with IFS and Forfar was one of the best experiences of my life and I’ve seen first hand the impact that a year or just a week on Andros can have on someone. Its ability to interweave fun and excitement with education and conservation has and will continue to inspire the next generation of young people in the environmental field.