The Paul Edwin Potter Internship - 2025 Program

May 19 - July 30, 2025

Our program is designed to provide academic and professional development by equipping interns with the knowledge and resources required to excel in geoscience-related research. In addition to participating in projects led by KGS researchers, interns will be required to attend a weekly program of seminars and field experiences. These extracurricular activities will cover a wide range of topics including:

• Data and physical sample management,
• Respectful and safe fieldwork,
• Responsible conduct of research,
• Abstract writing and publication preparation,
• Resume writing and mock interviews,
• Networking and mentorship programs,
• Academic and career development resources,
• Social and interpersonal career coaching,
• Research presentations and field experiences.

Important Dates (2025):

• December 16, 2024 - February 9, 2025: Application period open.
  Apply here (google form - google account required).
• January 2 - February 5: Optional application review period open.
  *Send application drafts and questions to kgspotterinternship@uky.edu.
• Week of February 17th: Round One interviews.
• Week of February 24th and March 3rd: Round Two interviews.
• Week of March 10th: Offer letters sent.
• May 19 - July 30: Internship dates.

Eligible applicants are:

• Undergraduate and master's level students enrolled at a higher education institution in Kentucky or surrounding area. This includes but is not limited to the University of Cincinnati, Marshall University, Hanover College, etc.,
• Students interested in geoscience and related field such as environmental science, physics, engineering, public health, or geography.
• Able to commit 40 hours per week for ten weeks.
• Able to attend the program seminars and field experiences.

2025 Projects:

This year, we plan to hire six interns to join a research team to investigate several aspects of Mundy’s Landing in Woodford County. The team will meticulously collect information on the area's karst, geomorphological, geophysical, and other features, including terrain characteristics, hydrological patterns, and historical significance. To ensure a valuable learning experience, each intern will work with mentors who will guide them through the 10-week program, which includes a final presentation and poster session. The results of each project will contribute to a better understanding of geological processes in the Inner Bluegrass Region.

The interns will learn skills in:

• Data management
• Sample collection
• Date Modeling
• Safe fieldwork
• Research writing

Each week will consist of GIS work, office tasks, and field exercises, focusing on a different aspect of the study area.

Background

Mundys Landing rests on the banks of the Kentucky River and has a rich history of mining fluorite, calcite, barite, and other minerals dating back to the early 1900s. The area's geology made Mundy’s Landing an important river crossing area for Native Americans, which later developed into a prominent rest and trading site for travelers in the 1800s. Geologically, the area contains Ordovician carbonates and falls within the KY River Fault System and the Central Kentucky Mining District on the southwestern edge of the Inner Bluegrass Region

KGS Paul Edwin Potter Internship Showcase

At the end of the internship, interns will present on their work. The goal of this showcase is to ensure interns have the opportunity to develop research products related to current and emerging KGS work. The poster session will give the interns an opportunity to network with future colleagues, sharpen their presentation skills, and learn to convey complex scientific concepts in a visually appealing and compelling way.