By: Kiersten Mannino
Amanda Pysher, a sophomore in the Department of Ocean, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences persevered this summer despite a global pandemic and interned at Ballard Fish and Oyster Company LLC. The company, located on the Eastern Shore in Cheriton, VA, is an aquatic farm that cultivates and sells clams and oysters. Being on the water comes natural to Pysher because she is a member of the ODU Women's Rowing team.
"My responsibilities consisted of conducting water quality tests, assisted with the growth of oyster and clam larvae, and maintaining the indoor and outdoor aspects of the hatchery," said Pysher. She observed the cultivation process starting with fertilization. During this process, the oysters must be examined and closely monitored to make sure larvae developed correctly. The water quality tests she performed examined several variables to ensure the water environment was safe for the oysters and clams.
Pysher had to follow daily safety protocols, which ultimately allowed her to learn more about each department at the oyster company. "Some weeks I worked with their algae systems by caring, cleaning, or transferring the bags which the algae were in, and other weeks a few senior farmers and I took a boat to look at the oyster and clam beds," said Pysher. Her time was split both inside and outside.
Pysher's dedication and hard work during her internship is also the same commitment she applies to ODU's Women's Rowing team. "As a student-athlete, there is added pressure to be more cautious when it comes to COVID," said Pysher. Whether avoiding public spaces on campus to weekly COVID-19 testing, Pysher and other student athletes keep the team in focus when making decisions such as going to public spaces such as class. They must follow the school's protocol with masks, and it was highly suggested that they use hand sanitizer whenever possible. "It is one of those things that the health of yourself will determine not only how the team moves forward but athletics as well," said Pysher. The rowing team practice times have been slowly increasing from eight hours per week, gradually increase to twelve, then sixteen hours per week.
Pysher is also very involved in ODU's Civic Scholars Program, the Marine Biology Student Association, and Intervarsity. Additionally, she joined the College of Sciences Student Advisory Board this semester.
"My favorite part of the internship was being able to make connections and learn a wide variety of information every week," said Pysher. She wants her future career to mirror her internship. "As an active person, I hope that in the future my job will not be solely in the field or the lab but rather a mix of both," said Pysher. She wants to discover and unlock scientific secrets that will help future scientists know more about the world around them, and she said, "my internship was a valuable experience to the start of my scientific career."
Her advice to future Monarchs applying to internships is, "Do not narrow your internship choices because you think that it may not offer what you want or need." She will return to the Ballard Fish and Oyster Company LLC this December, but it will be as a part time employee. "The character of an individual is sometimes more important than what is on your transcript or your resume," said Pysher. "Treat every individual you meet with kindness or respect, as you may meet your future boss, coworker, or employees unknowingly."