When you're closely involved with something, it's easy to take for granted how good it is. But for junior Veronica Pasi, spending 10 weeks last summer managing invasive species as part of a hands-on internship in Illinois's Glacial Park provided a new appreciation for her Penn State education.

Looking to narrow her focus as an Environmental Resource Management major, Penn State senior Lisa Boudeman decided to spend last summer getting hands-on experience with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service.

The Danville, Pa., native interned at USDA's Pasture Systems and Watershed Management Laboratory on the University Park campus. The lab works closely with the College of Agricultural Sciences on projects related to water quality and agricultural methods.

Justin Kauffman let his love of hunting, fishing and the outdoors guide him to the right Penn State major and to a meaningful internship helping to protect natural resources. The York, Pa., native graduated from the College of Agricultural Sciences in December with a degree in Environmental Resource Management and a minor in Watersheds and Water Resources. He interned with the Conewago Creek Initiative, a collaboration between Penn State Extension and environmental groups aimed at improving water quality in the Conewago Creek watershed.

When recent Penn State graduate Mary Susan Sherman applied for several internships through the National Park Service, she never dreamed she would co-develop the foundation for an Alaska-based weed-management program. Last summer, Sherman -- who now holds a degree in Environmental Resource Management from the College of Agricultural Sciences -- and another student intern were based in Coal Creek Camp in central Alaska near the Yukon River.

Christine Olarte, an environmental resource management major in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, spent the ultimate white Christmas in the far southern latitudes last winter. For three weeks -- from Dec. 21, 2008, to Jan. 11 -- the current senior from Harrisburg enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime Yuletide experience in the land of ice and snow.