Lehigh University Athletics
Photo by: Matt Smith
Internship Spotlight: Kevin Gersbeck
9/9/2020 1:09:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse, Features
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic creating obstacles, a number of Lehigh men's lacrosse student-athletes completed worthwhile internships over the summer. We continue by spotlighting senior Kevin Gersbeck.
By: Justin Lafleur, Lehigh Sports Communications
Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Kevin Gersbeck secured an internship at Brookhaven National Lab, a national laboratory on Long Island.
Even though it was challenging, Gersbeck was able to complete the experience remotely.
And he was extremely grateful for the opportunity.
"I worked on water sustainability," said Gersbeck, an earth and environmental science major. "A lot of what I looked at was bacterial growth on the water coolers. I also looked at alternative options for water coolers."
Much of Gersbeck's work came in front of a computer, which allowed him to still complete the internship virtually.
"There was a lot of information already given to me through spreadsheets, looking at water coolers and seeing if they're being tracked regularly or regularly cleaned," he said. "I also created a survey, which is going to be completed next year because only a select number of people have been allowed at the lab (due to the pandemic). The point of the survey is to test all these water coolers, look for bacterial growth and examine exposure to ultraviolet… that type of thing."
The goal of Gersbeck's work was to create awareness of the water quality, along with what was being tracked (and not tracked).
"BNL strives for quality water for the BNL community," he said. "My end product was to make recommendations that are cost effective and environmentally friendly. I plan to return next year to put my research recommendations into action."
At this point in Gersbeck's collegiate career, he described the internship as a "perfect opportunity."
"I came into Lehigh not knowing exactly what I wanted to do," he said. "I did want to look at being an earth science teacher, so I went into environmental science right away.
"It turned out I really loved it."
This summer helped Gersbeck not only advance his knowledge and abilities related to his major, but also develop numerous skills that will help him in all areas of life.
"Bringing this summer back to lacrosse, I feel like I was coachable, took criticism well throughout the process and was more efficient with my work (being a remote experience)," he said.
Gersbeck was efficient by not only having a daily schedule, but also sticking to it, which was especially important (and challenging) while working from home.
"I wrote down my list of what I had to do every day and was vigilant to that list throughout the whole entire day," he said.
Those days interning with Brookhaven will pay dividends for Gersbeck once he graduates.
"This was a really good experience for me, helping me realize this is an area I want to be in," he said. "I could see myself working in a lab and looking at water sustainability and/or erosion. I could also see myself at an environmental consulting firm on Long Island, which includes surveying the land before something's built."
For now, Gersbeck is making the most of his senior year at Lehigh to put him in a position to succeed post-graduation, in much the same way he embraced every day working with Brookhaven.
He knows it took a lot of work to turn his internship virtual.
"Brookhaven is a national lab and there were about 150 kids throughout their internship," said Gersbeck. "A lot of people's internships were cancelled because they couldn't have done it online, but mine was one that could continue.
"I was super grateful for the opportunity."
By: Justin Lafleur, Lehigh Sports Communications
Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Kevin Gersbeck secured an internship at Brookhaven National Lab, a national laboratory on Long Island.
Even though it was challenging, Gersbeck was able to complete the experience remotely.
And he was extremely grateful for the opportunity.
"I worked on water sustainability," said Gersbeck, an earth and environmental science major. "A lot of what I looked at was bacterial growth on the water coolers. I also looked at alternative options for water coolers."
Much of Gersbeck's work came in front of a computer, which allowed him to still complete the internship virtually.
"There was a lot of information already given to me through spreadsheets, looking at water coolers and seeing if they're being tracked regularly or regularly cleaned," he said. "I also created a survey, which is going to be completed next year because only a select number of people have been allowed at the lab (due to the pandemic). The point of the survey is to test all these water coolers, look for bacterial growth and examine exposure to ultraviolet… that type of thing."
The goal of Gersbeck's work was to create awareness of the water quality, along with what was being tracked (and not tracked).
"BNL strives for quality water for the BNL community," he said. "My end product was to make recommendations that are cost effective and environmentally friendly. I plan to return next year to put my research recommendations into action."
At this point in Gersbeck's collegiate career, he described the internship as a "perfect opportunity."
"I came into Lehigh not knowing exactly what I wanted to do," he said. "I did want to look at being an earth science teacher, so I went into environmental science right away.
"It turned out I really loved it."
This summer helped Gersbeck not only advance his knowledge and abilities related to his major, but also develop numerous skills that will help him in all areas of life.
"Bringing this summer back to lacrosse, I feel like I was coachable, took criticism well throughout the process and was more efficient with my work (being a remote experience)," he said.
Gersbeck was efficient by not only having a daily schedule, but also sticking to it, which was especially important (and challenging) while working from home.
"I wrote down my list of what I had to do every day and was vigilant to that list throughout the whole entire day," he said.
Those days interning with Brookhaven will pay dividends for Gersbeck once he graduates.
"This was a really good experience for me, helping me realize this is an area I want to be in," he said. "I could see myself working in a lab and looking at water sustainability and/or erosion. I could also see myself at an environmental consulting firm on Long Island, which includes surveying the land before something's built."
For now, Gersbeck is making the most of his senior year at Lehigh to put him in a position to succeed post-graduation, in much the same way he embraced every day working with Brookhaven.
He knows it took a lot of work to turn his internship virtual.
"Brookhaven is a national lab and there were about 150 kids throughout their internship," said Gersbeck. "A lot of people's internships were cancelled because they couldn't have done it online, but mine was one that could continue.
"I was super grateful for the opportunity."
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