A bittersweet ending

I'm both excited and sad to say that I'm done here at the APL. Just a few more small loose ends to tie up tomorrow and then I'll be heading home to Portland. It has been an incredible summer - one I'll never forget! A few closing thoughts: 

• I want to thank everyone who's been involved both in my project and on the business end of things. I was able to work with some absolutely brilliant engineers and oceanographers, and I feel completely honored to have spent my summer with them. I wish them all the very best in their careers! Both the CMOP staff and APL staff have been so warm, welcoming and willing to help me out. You've all made this a very educational and exciting summer for me!
• To anyone reading this who may be considering a career in engineering: do an internship! I cannot stress how crucial this internship was for the rest of my career. I know I still have so much to learn and experience, but this internship was a great kick-start. You'd be surprised even at the small things you take away from an experience like this (example: putting a date and time on everything in a log book...you think it sounds silly and easy, but its easier not to do, and you wish you had it when you're sitting there unable to make sense of your data) that make you, in general, a better scientist and a more efficient engineer. Even if the internship isn't in your specific area of interest, it can never hurt to explore, try it, learn, network, and have a great time.
• To anyone seeking an internship: CMOP is awesome! Just take awhile to browse through our blogs, like I've been doing all summer, and you'll notice how exciting this research is, how many cool things we got to experience, and how diverse the group is - biologists, engineers, zoologists, Native America Studies majors - trust me, if this interests you, you have a place here! Apply apply apply!
• As for my contribution to CMOP and CMOP's contribution to me: my data was both good and bad. The good data was exciting, but definitely needs improvement, and the bad data...just needs improvement. I'm not at all disappointed in the results. I learned a lot in doing the calibrations, and I know what I would try differently next time. I also feel like my abilities to analyze data, improvise with what I have, and brainstorm why something didn't work and what I can do to fix it were much improved. Walking away knowing that feels incredible. The calibration apparatus itself will actually be taken on board the ship when CMOP sends the AUV's out in the Columbia River so that field calibrations can be done on site! So exciting! Thanks again, Nick and Alex, for all of your help with the construction!

Phew. What an incredible summer! I feel incredibly blessed to have been a part of CMOP's team this year, and I can't wait to follow CMOP's progress to 2016 and beyond.