Summer is in full swing, and hundreds of students are taking it as an opportunity to explore the various career fields Environmental Protection Agency is hosting a summer employment internship program.

The Guam Environmental Protection Agency closed out the first week of its employment internship program. For six weeks students will be out in the field getting hands-on experience and learning of Guam EPA's role in preserving and protecting our island's natural resources.

"We're very excited to be hosting agency with this program run by Guam Department of Education and the Department of Youth Affairs," Guam EPA spokesman Nic Lee said. "This gives opportunities for public and private high school students to interact with the agency personnel. Learn about what our mandates are what our regulations are what our regulatory role is."

He detailed the American Rescue Plan funded program which is operated through a grant under the Guam Department of Education and the Department of Youth Affairs. Guam EPA is just one out of several GovGuam agencies that are hosting the internship program. Students get to observe numerous EPA operations such as how they enforce mandates when it comes to solid and hazardous waste, to beach sampling, and lab work. He says there's a lot of experience that can be gained through their participation, and they're happy to have nearly 30 students on board.

"The participants are at that age where they're now starting to discover what their interests are what their plans are when it comes to their time when they graduate from high school move on to higher learning," Lee said.

He added that the experience that students can gain through gov Guam agencies and departments might be able to foster their interest and serve our island in the future.

Seventeen-year-old Nick Fejeran said he decided to join the internship because it's an opportunity to understand the agency and the role they play on Guam.

"It taught me a lot of teamwork," he said. "And taught me that if I don't know ask questions or honestly it's all a big learning experience."

Meanwhile, 14-year-old Sato Rabago explained that he joined the program to protect the environment, because his sister hopped on, and well, there's also a cash incentive.

"You get paid," he said. "It's nice to go out and do something to just keep you busy... that too."