EC Graduate: "A real world understanding of the field and subsequent job experience."

EC Student: "SAS inspired me to continue my research and branch out to more projects. It gave me the confidence to present my work at academic conferences."

EC Graduate: "For me, SAS confirmed that the field of geosciences was where I was meant to be. It confirmed that I made the right choice to switch to Marine Chemistry, and although I am not working on sediments in my PhD, I am still in the field of chemical oceanography. "

EC Graduate: "The SAS program had a significant impact on my academic experience at Eckerd by deepening my understanding of oceanographic research beyond the classroom. Participating in a research cruise allowed me to see how the theories and methods I learned in coursework are applied in real-world ocean science. Being involved in cruise planning and data collection enhanced my appreciation for the logistics, teamwork, and adaptability required in field research. The experience also inspired me to pursue more advanced coursework in chemical oceanography and strengthened my confidence in conducting independent research. "

EC Student: "I am very happy I was able to participate in SAS early on in my degree because the program reinforced my interest in geology. When I applied for the program, I was a Marine Biology major thinking about switching to Geosciences after enjoying GeoOce more than BioOce. My positive experience in SAS encouraged me to make the switch. I now aim to continue studying geology in graduate school thanks to my time in SAS!"

EC Student: "SAS played a defining role in determining my major as well as where my interests in geology lie. Although I had already switched my track to marine geology I hadn't figured out if I was going to stay with geology or switch to something more environment based. SAS secured my spot as a geologist, it gave me the opportunity to get more involved with on campus research and uncover certain fields in geology I never knew existed."

EC Graduate: "SAS gave me a sense of confidence as I progressed through my academic career at Eckerd. I felt it gave me a complete understanding of what it meant to be a geologist and what to possibly expect from my other courses. SAS was a program that I had to be accepted into and allowed me to think critically in my assignments from other classes. I had another perspective than other students. This made me feel I was ahead of other students since I had this valuable experience so early in my career. "

EC Student: "SAS allowed me to gain at-sea, hands on experience in the scientific field as an undergraduate which taught me intangible lessons about who I am as a student and a researcher."

EC Graduate: "SAS is directly responsible for the job I have today. It was my first opportunity to work on a vessel for a project and I knew after that first hitch that this was the career path for me. "

EC Graduate: "I was amongst the few in graduate school with fieldwork experience, and this meant I was ahead of the curve and my professors entrusted me with more responsibilities and gave me more opportunities because I didn't need the training."

EC Graduate: "SAS introduced me to how interdisciplinary the marine science field is. The course opened my eyes to other fields of research that I never knew existed and has taught me to become resilient as this course was my first time going out to sea. Conducting research has its ups and downs. Learning how to become resilient and adapt after "failures" is an essential skill to have in this field which has lead me to be confident and okay when projects don't work the first time around."

EC Graduate: "The ship time i gained through SAS made me more qualified for marine-related internships such as the USGS internship and the aptim STRIVE internship program. "

EC Student: "Participating in SAS prepared me to succeed in geologic research by creating the foundation for everything I have accomplished since. Through the program, I learned valuable research methods and skills which would not have been otherwise possible so early in my degree.  My background in research helped me get an off-campus summer internship. This internship has given me the opportunity to pursue graduate school in a geologic subfield I really enjoy. I truly believe that none of this would be possible without participating in SAS."

EC Graduate: "SAS provided me with the skills and experiences needed to communicate scientific findings effectively, both through poster presentations and informal discussions with peers and mentors. The opportunity to network with professionals in the field and receive feedback on my work helped me begin to establish my professional identity as a researcher. I also gained valuable insight into the structure and demands of research careers, helping me clarify my future academic and professional goals. The confidence, communication skills, and professional connections I developed through SAS are skills that I use today as I am continuing with my MSc. "

EC Student: "I believe that this opportunity allowed me to demonstrate that I was capable of not only contributing meaningfully to research, but also completing the entire scientific research process. Being able to plan, propose, execute, and present a project unique to you is a rare privilege, and I believe it is one of the core reasons I received the Hollings Scholarship. "

EC Graduate: "The job I have is a direct result of networking at thr SAS symposium. It has giving me courage to network and grow in a professional and personal setting when it comes to achieving goals and pursuing a future as a geologist."

EC Graduate: "SAS provided me with experience in the field, and symposia which I created my own research for. This allowed me to have multiple important valuable materials and experiences which be benefited me in my job search post grad."

EC Graduate: "It made me passionate about being out on survey vessels and helped guide me to my employment! "

EC Graduate: "My work with SAS directly led to my acceptance into graduate school.  My advisor valued my hands-on experience with field and laboratory research methods as an asset, and my since thesis is employing many of the same techniques, I have enjoyed a much appreciated head start."

EC Graduate:  "Writing and presenting skills, real world skills on research vessels,   Teamwork, leadership"

EC Graduate: "Vessel time is the most crucial in my opinion although I could see an argument for the lab work and reporting. It is hard for me to say any specific part of the SAS program was not beneficial to me to but getting on a research vessel for a multi-night hitch was the most eye opening. Now that I work in the offshore industry I feel like that vessel experience is crucial because I have encountered multiple people that had no idea what they were getting into, which negatively impacted their experience and the rest of the crews. "

EC Graduate:  "Creating an independent research project and presenting your work "

EC Graduate: "The cruise planning and the cruise itself were the most beneficial."

EC Student:  "The research cruise. I think being given the opportunity to do fieldwork in that setting is vital for students pursuing degrees in geology/marine science. It allows you to not only experience something entirely new, but also know whether you would want to go into a line of work doing research cruises."

EC Graduate: "The cruise and the independent study are critical to the core of SAS. The cruise teaches field skills, and the independent study is most of what research is. Students need to learn, realistically, what data analysis and research entails prior to going to graduate school (if at all). "

EC Student: "I think it is critical to maintain the summer research cruise. This is extremely important in allowing students what science in the real world can be. "

EC Graduate: "The cruise plan assignment and field work."

EC Student: "The cruise easily. and planning for it. Everything about it honestly is great."

EC Graduate: "The part of SAS that I think is most important to maintain is the hands-on experience of being out at sea and actively participating in research. There’s nothing quite like collecting samples, working with real data, and seeing how much teamwork and adaptability go into making a cruise successful. That experience really helped me connect what I’ve learned in the classroom to the reality of doing ocean science. This is also what makes Eckerd stand out from other programs as most people in undergrad do not get to go on research cruises. At my masters program I have received a lot of positive feedback from having cruise experience and was offered a spot on a research cruise in the Arctic next month. "

EC Student: "The cruises and mentorship of the professors"

EC Graduate: "The symposium, actual hands on field work on the boat, and then going through the nitty-gritty of processing and analyzing the data. Basically the whole thing."

EC Student: "The prep and planning for cruise, that was a really interesting and valuable way to understand how expeditions take place, and the individual research in fall semester is valuable, it's challenging but I think you grow a lot as a scientist and it's powerful to have a project to present on to a group of professionals. "

EC Graduate: "I think the research cruise planning and cruise experience are vital to maintain for future years. "

EC Student: "Research cruises, supportive staff, peer mentors"

EC Graduate: "I believe the at sea aspect and the symposium are critical to the experience. "

EC Student: "All of SAS is incredibly critical in my opinion. From the planning phase to the cruise to the symposium in the fall semester, all of it is provides an impressive range of skills that makes the students that much more unique in comparison to other undergraduates. The opportunity for undergraduate research is definitely the main pull of this program, but without the planning and field expedition, it is not nearly as valuable."

EC Student: "Research cruise ship time. Even if it had to be shorter than what we had in my year, being able to be on the ship and collecting data that I would later use was integral to SAS."

EC Student: "Ship time and the symposium"

EC Graduate:  "The access to field research, coupled with uniquely tailored individual/group research projects and conference style presentations were absolute standout features of the course, and are a major contributor to the course's value beyond undergraduate studies."

EC Graduate: "The research symposium, it is a way to demonstrate the hard work done over a year long period "

EC Graduate:  "The most critical part would be the hands on experience in the form of a research cruise. This critical aspect allowes students like myself to truly experience what its like to be a scientist. "

EC Graduate: "The symposium was a great public speaking opportunity and helped develop my presentation skills as well as giving me an opportunity to network with prominent regional businesses and agencies related to Marine Science. This was a unique experience that was unlike pretty much anything else I took part in at Eckerd."

EC Student: "The most valuable part of SAS in regards to my academic experience is that I get to do my own research project, gaining experience. I think this is very important because when I go to apply to grad school, they will see that I have undergraduate research experience which is unlike many other undergraduate students."

EC Graduate: "The two things I used the most after SAS was making a poster and the independent research skills (especially setting my own deadlines). Being able to do both of these things put me at an advantage for CPO and marine pollution, and also the skills on the boat that I learned helped me a lot both as a student in CPO and as a teaching assistant for the class. "

EC Student: "Having the opportunity to participate in geologic research early on in my degree program."

EC Graduate: "Confidence in new knowledge, planning, strategizing, maximizing ship time and program time in general (to develop your own project), mentorship from faculty and other professionals (!!!) "

EC Graduate: "The most valuable parts were the at sea research cruise and the symposium as these allowed students to experience scientific research and presentation in a professional light. "

EC Student: "SAS has allowed me to think of the many different career paths that I can go down in the future. Being apart of the SAS cruise really showed that that is a something I would like to do post graduation. I also really felt that the professional symposium at the end of the year is important for networking and making connections with people in similar fields. "

EC Graduate: "The networking abilities in a safe environment."

EC Student: "The poster presentation and the research cruise. Learning about different jobs I could go into in Marine geology. "

EC Graduate: "Presenting scientific data, talking about data with colleagues, identifying overlapping information, connections to additional projects outside of Eckerd and within. "

EC Graduate:  "My final comment would be to encourage second semester freshman and sophomores to apply. I know this is already somewhat done, but I know that learning the skills from SAS my sophomore year helped me a lot in future years at Eckerd."

EC Graduate:  "Thanks for giving me this opportunity!"

EC Student: "I think this program is such an incredible opportunity, especially at no cost to the student. As someone from a low-income household I never thought I'd have the opportunity to do my own research, let alone go on an amazing research cruise. This program gives so many students an opportunity that some may have never thought they'd be able to have. "

EC Graduate:  "I appreciate my professors for continuing this amazing opportunity for early career scientists and taking a chance on me and my future! "

EC Student: "I wish you all the best in continuing this amazing program!"

EC Graduate:  "I am open to having open discussions/video chats about the impacts of SAS on my career if needed!"

EC Graduate:  "I don't think I would have done it if it required extra tuition and I don't believe I would be in the same position in life now if it wasn't for the SAS program. "