UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Jessica Briggs, a junior in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, received the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship this spring.
The Hollings Scholarship program is designed to provide students with experience in NOAA-related science, research, technology, policy, management and educational activities. The award is given to rising juniors for their junior and senior years and includes two years of academic assistance and a summer internship. During the summer between their junior and senior years, students complete a mandatory internship at one of the agency’s research offices.
Briggs, of Erie, who is majoring in environmental resource management with a focus in water science, will learn her options for the location of the internship in October. She explained that she will visit the site over winter break, then start her internship next summer. Briggs hopes to be placed at a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration facility on the West Coast.
While still in high school, Briggs discovered the program on the agency’s website while looking into other scholarships. She kept the scholarship in the back of her mind, but a visit to a National Weather Service office with another internship pushed her to apply.
“They actually had a NOAA scholar working in their office, and interacting with her rekindled my interest in applying,” Briggs said.
Alongside transcripts and resume, applicants are required to complete an essay on their research goals, future plans, and how they relate to the agency’s mission. Briggs said 700 students from across the country applied to the program; 125 Hollings scholars were selected this year, including five other Penn State students.
“The monetary aspect of the scholarship definitely relieves some financial pressure,” she said. “I would love to work for an organization like this in the future, so this internship is an exciting opportunity to get experience working at NOAA while doing my own research.”