Mount Holyoke College's career-focused curriculum, referred to those familiar as The Lynk, provides every sophomore and junior with internship funding and a toolkit of resources to help them get the most out of an internship experience.
Not every Mount Holyoke student takes advantage of The Lynk, but biology major Maddie Hurley, a junior on Mount Holyoke's equestrian team, did in a major way this past summer, in volunteering at a sea turtle sanctuary in Indonesia.
Green Lion Turtle Conservation, located on a tiny island off of Bali called Nusa Penida, is home to over 500 baby sea turtles kept for a minimum of 6 months. Its goal is to help ensure the survival of endangered sea turtles. "We kept the turtles until they were old enough to have a fighting chance in the wild," Hurley said. "We often get questioned, 'Why do you take wild animals out of their environment?' Survival odds for baby sea turtles are 1 in 1000. And they are about the size of a ping pong ball, which makes them a predator's favorite food."
The turtles' challenges go beyond predators, Hurley said. "There's a big lack of waste infrastructure, and there isn't a good way of disposing of waste, so people will just chuck it up on the beach." Along with caring for the turtles, volunteers like Hurley regularly spent time cleaning up local beaches.
The turtles are kept in conditions that simulate their natural environment. Volunteers would catch live food and place it at the bottom of their pools. "In the wild, turtles have to dive to catch their food. We want them to be prepared for life outside of the sanctuary."
Hurley's interest in marine conservation dates back to her sophomore year in high school. "I've done marine conservation work before in high school. I also did a lot of climate justice activism as well," she said.
Coming to Mt. Holyoke, Hurley knew that she wanted to continue her education in biology. "I love bio in its complete totality. I love the lab work and the critical thinking that comes with it."
Hurley's experience in Bali seemed to be just what she needed at just the right time.
"This summer experience was to pursue my interest in conservation work, but I've hit a fork in the road," she said. "On one hand, I would love to go into human medicine. But on the other, I want to integrate marine conservation science into my career, whether it's on the side or with a nonprofit organization."
Her career path may be unclear, but Hurley is happy to feel that she's asking herself the right questions. And grateful for the preparation that a Mount Holyoke education gives her, and the opportunity provided by The Lynk.
"I don't think I could have comfortably experienced Bali without being a MHC student," she said. "The way that the environment here prepares you is so wonderful. And I am so grateful to the MHC Lynk program. It allowed me to experience something new and broaden my view on the world. It really showed me that there are many opportunities available to me; I just have to take the risk."
