Island Press

Once upon a time, I was sure that I wanted to be an editor. I always liked reading and polishing people’s stories. It felt right to shape up someone's work, to see its beginning and see it transform into a finished product. But, as any recent English grad out there can attest, landing an editorial anything is difficult. So I joined Island Press in the spring as a social media and web intern, and it was not at all what I expected.

On April 22, scientists, science lovers, and others united in marches around the world in the name of science. The largest of the over 600 marches occurred in Washington, DC. This demonstration was particularly important given a political climate which glorifies "alternative facts," and which many fear will lead to scientific data being censored, dismissed, or even destroyed for contradicting political or business interests. To show our support for truth, a few Island Press (IP) staff members and authors made their way to D.C.

After graduating college with a BA in Communications I wasn’t exactly sure what to do with myself. Having no luck with finding immediate employment I decided to try out some internships to pick up some experience and references. That was when I came across Island Press. I began my internship at Island Press having never worked in publishing before and having no idea what to expect. For the weeks leading up the internship I simply told people I would be doing social media for the company. This turned out to be a tiny fraction of the work that I performed for Island Press.

The last time I went home to coastal South Carolina was different. I looked at the expansive salt marshes and brackish rivers I knew so well with a different mindset. It’s hardly the first time I’ve thought about climate change when thinking about home, but usually my mind tends toward a timid terror. The impending doom of the low-lying land I love so much has seemed like an inevitability for so long. This semester as the publicity intern changed that view.