Communications & Programs Intern

Save Our Shores

Jadyn-Kathleen Polk

I am Jadyn-Kathleen Polk. A second year Ethnic Studies Major who’s affiliated with Stevenson college. I love to write, draw, and spend time in my imagination.

My skills make me great at communications so my job interests have been within the realms of writing, assistance, organizing and problem-solving. My dreams and career are still unknown to me. My plan is to take learning opportunities that benefit me and expose me to new things until I know what's right for me.

About Save Our Shores:

At SOS I am a Communication and Programs intern. I’m responsible for designing marketing posts for events and sharing data recorded from the many programs we have to offer. My mentor is the Executive Director of SOS Katie Thompson.

Katie worked with me on my goals to improve my writing skills, learn about ocean conservation, and become comfortable while relaying information. As a result, I’ve worked with students as a chaperone on fun field trips to learn about ecology, written blog posts, participated in beach cleanups, and attended tabling events where I practiced talking to people about conservation and the work SOS does .

How does this internship apply to your academic journey in the humanities?

This internship fostered me as an academic by giving me a safe environment to grow accustomed to multitasking between my learning and further enriching opportunities. Also, due to the many EXCEL workshops, I’m confident in explaining how my major in ethnic studies makes me a great writer and team member. My major gives me skills that ensure the voice projecting from my work is grounded in the rich knowledge of many perspectives, cultures, and history.

Moments That Shine!

Calling for attendance at a California Coastal Commission meeting to protest actions taken to restore a pipeline off the coast of Santa Barbara.

My mentor Katie and I went on my first kayaking field trip with our youth program, the ‘Junior Sanctuary Stewards’.

My first time leading an activity at

Bayview Elementary School.

Reflections on working with Save Our Shores:

What are the most critical skills you learned or practiced?

SOS had many different programs I could work within, so I gained a broad range of new skills. To be useful at beach cleanups, I had to undergo training and learn about ocean conservation. During that training, I learned I’d been recycling improperly for years. Engaging with projects became a way to learn useful and practical information. Similarly, I had to make campaign material for various conservation issues like ‘Ban the Butt’. Making campaign material immersed me in current climate issues, leading me down interesting historical rabbit holes. Aside from this, I gained experience working with children and learned what it meant to write on behalf of an organization rather than for myself.

What impact has this internship experience had on you?

The exposure to various responsibilities makes me feel more secure because while working, I was able to refine and gain new skills. I’m a better writer because I could practice, and Katie taught me the wonders of Google Sheets and Excel codes. During this time I’ve learned about myself and gained confidence in my ability to take on new things and succeed in new environments. This work experience has me feeling prepared to take on another internship because I’ve now jumped into something new.

Lastly, with what I've learned, I want to offer some advice - I had such a great experience because all my coworkers were so kind and thoughtful. When looking for a job, if you can, never dismiss the factor that your coworkers play into creating the work environment.