Cayuga Student Enjoying Internship Through Empire State Service Corps

After only one month, Cayuga Community College student Avery Fuller already appreciates the value of his internship at the Sterling Nature Center and the role it could play in his long-term career options.

Now in his second year at Cayuga, Fuller is enjoying an internship at the Nature Center as part of the Empire State Service Corps, an initiative that offers paid community service work to SUNY students.

Fuller started working at the Nature Center in October, and his work has ranged from caring for wildlife to removing sections of beaver dams that can potentially damage the Center’s trails. It’s work he’s enjoying, whether it’s in the field or in the office.

“Internships like this one, they’re a great opportunity to learn in the field and enjoy yourself while you’re doing it,” he said. “I’ve had a chance to work on some tasks right away, but also to plan some longer-term educational projects that match interests of mine.”

His internship is just the latest opportunity Fuller, 31, has enjoyed at Cayuga. He returned to college after previously earning an associate’s degree and working in the healthcare field for several years. He’s currently in Cayuga’s Liberal Arts and Sciences: Mathematics and Science program.

In his first year at Cayuga, he participated in the SUNY Undergraduate Research Conference, through which he met Cayuga Professor Sheila Myers. She shared with him the opportunities in the Empire State Service Corps.

Launched this fall, the Empire State Service Corps creates compensated internship roles for SUNY students to work in their community. Students work for 300 hours in fields varying from education and the environment to supporting SNAP and regional food banks.

For Fuller, his opportunity came at the Nature Center. Along with his current role, Fuller is hoping to establish an educational entomology program this winter at the Center. Though still in its planning stages, the program could focus on the insects visitors might see at the Center, what makes them unique and their role in the habitat.

The internship is also an opportunity for Fuller to explore his passion for teaching. Since returning to college, he’s become a tutor at the Learning Commons — Academic Support at Cayuga’s Fulton Campus. While working as a math tutor, he’s grown to appreciate supporting other students and enjoys seeing the impact of his work with them.

Seeing that impact, as Fuller describes it, is also a big part of what he enjoys at the Nature Center. When he’s working at the Center, he can tell what he’s working on matters, regardless of the type of task for that day.

That diverse experience is valuable no matter what your career goals, he said.

“It’s more than just working at the Nature Center, or any other internship a student might have,” said Fuller. “This program helps you realize the pluses and minuses of the career field you’re considering. It might be enough to convince you it’s right for you. Or it might show you that you should consider another option. Either way, it’s great experience.”