From Camper to Aspiring Conservationist: My Work Experience at FRIENDS
- Olivia Patterson-Maura
- Feb 17, 2025
- 3 min read
Each Spring, FRIENDS hosts a high school work experience student. Hear more from Riley Wong, our February 2025 student.
Hi Riley, please tell us about yourself.
Hi, my name is Riley Wong. I am in 11th Grade at Forest Heights Academy. My favorite subjects are biology, marine science and art. My near future goal is to go to college to major in marine biology, to be a Sea Turtle Conservation Biologist as well as a minor in photography. I began to be involved with Friends of the Environment from many field trips and summer camps from 2014. For the past two years I have been extremely dedicated in helping out with summer camp and after school club for Sea Beans which is for three to six year olds. Living on the small island of Abaco for sixteen years has extremely impacted my view on how beautiful our environment is and also how important it is for all to educate others on how we can do our part to protect our ecosystems.
Can you tell us what high school work experience is?
High school work experience is a short period of time that a young student goes to an organization or company to get experience with a particular kind of work and also is required to graduate.
What led you to choose Friends of the Environment for your two weeks of work experience?
I chose Friends of the Environment for my two weeks of work experience because I wanted to use the opportunity to learn more about what I can expect having marine biology as my desired major. Friends of the Environment is the best organization in Abaco that focuses on educating others on how we can help our environment as well as teaching others about the ecosystems around us. At FRIENDS I hoped to learn more about what goes on behind the scenes and how to make programs happen.
What were your main tasks and responsibilities?
My main tasks were to work with the education team as well as help with social media content, for example flyers and videos. I took on any tasks that were brought to my attention even when it wasn’t my main responsibilities.
What was the most interesting or surprising thing you learned?
I was able to narrow down what interested me most about marine biology while working alongside Mrs. Denise Mizell, FRIENDS Board Member and Abaco Manager for the Perry Institute of Marine Science, which is the conservation of sea turtles and their survival rate.
How did this experience change your perspective on environmental work?
This experience has made me more eager to learn about our environment and I am excited to go off to college to help make a difference in our Bahamian ecosystems.
What was your favourite moment during the internship? My favorite moment during the internship was being more involved with preparation and the implementation of after school clubs, while also seeing the children excited and enthusiastic about coming to learn, since I remember how excited I would be when attending programs at Friends of the Environment.
How do you think this experience has helped your personal or professional growth?
This experience helped me personally grow by providing me with a ton of experience working as well as multiple skills that will be able to benefit me in the near future. I improved many skills like learning, technology and interacting while on my two weeks of work experience.
Did this internship influence your future career goals?
YES!
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Riley’s experience at FRIENDS shows how hands-on learning can shape career paths and foster a deeper connection to the environment. From helping with social media content to assisting in educational programs, the opportunity clearly gave practical insight into marine conservation work. It’s inspiring to see a young student combine passion with action while gaining valuable skills that go beyond the classroom. This makes me think about balancing dedication and comfort, whether heading out for fieldwork or casual study sessions in a cozy champs hoodie, ready to tackle projects with focus and ease.