John O’Neil Johnson – Blog #3 (Data Analysis Findings)

John Johnson, Pinhead Business Research Intern, 2020-2021

Data Analysis
Pinhead Internships 2004-2021 June 25, 2021

The Pinhead Internship Program began in 2003 when Pinhead Founder, Nana NaisbiB, decided it would be beneficial for students in the Telluride region to get real-life work experience in first class science insHtuHons, experiences which were not available locally. She began wriHng grants to support of the program and promoted it to regional high school juniors in person. At first, it was like pulling teeth. Very few students were interested. She sent the first three intrepid students to the Smithsonian InsHtuHon in 2004 and two in 2005. The best adverHsement for the program, it turned out, was the infecHous enthusiasm of returning students who talked about their experiences with their peers. By 2006, students at five schools — Telluride, Ridgway, Norwood, Nucla, and Ouray — were eligible to apply. That year she sent a total of seven students into the world, four of them abroad. Three students traveled to the rain forests of Costa Rica and one to Ruhr-Universitaet in Germany. In 2007, then ExecuHve Director, Ramona Gaylord, further expanded the internaHonal internships to include Peru, Nepal, Panama, and the Bahamas. Seven interns adventured into the world that year, some for as long as six months. ExecuHve Director, Sonchia Jilek, then opened the doors of other esteemed insHtuHons such as NOAA, NASA, Woods Hole Oceanographic InsHtuHon, Williams College, and several of the University of California schools, among others. The number of interns she sent ranged between 6-11 per year. When Sarah Holbrooke was appointed execuHve director, she strove to expand the outreach to 11 high schools and more than triple the number of students sent annually. Sarah also added Iceland, Botswana, and Scotland to the internaHonal list and vastly expanded the scienHfic fields for internship opportuniHes. Now, eighteen years a\er the program was conceived, 50-70 regional students vie each year for one of approximately 35 coveted placements as a Pinhead intern.

Significantly, each of the past Pinhead Directors and all of the board members throughout the years poured Hme and resources into the program to provide life-changing experiences for regional students. Equally as important, generous donaHons from local and state funders, as well as generous donaHons from individuals, have fueled the success of the program.

The informaHon below demonstrates the significant impact of the Pinhead Internship Program on the lives of the interns. Eighty-one-percent of Pinhead interns major in a STEM field in college. Eighty-three-percent of past Pinhead interns who have entered the work force chose careers in STEM. In addiHon to the numbers, the following tesHmonials from past interns speak volumes about the program’s impact.

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John Johnson, Pinhead Business Research Intern, 2020-2021

QUOTES FROM PAST INTERNS

• My Pinhead internship “taught how me to be successful in life, how to be out of my comfort zone, how to manage Hme, and how to approach every challenge with confidence and perseverance. It prepared me for college and a career.”
• My internship “kickstarted an enHre decade of professional and personal development.”
• “It created my passion for research and made the imminent future less daunHng.”
• “It fueled my desire to take an interdisciplinary approach to addressing communityproblems. It inspired my degree in both environmental chemistry and economics.”
• “I believe my internship was largely responsible for me geeng into college and geengscholarships.”
• My Pinhead internship “turned me into a career scienHst specializing in tropical plants.”
• “Gave me special insight as to what can be accomplished based on a naturalist’sperspecHve, and how socioeconomic growth can lead to a beBer relaHonship between

  society and nature.”

• I learned that scienHsts “push the edge of the unknown and actually prove things thathave never been proven before.”
• “It assured and reinforced my commitment to providing the highest quality healthcareto marginalized communiHes.”
• “I learned I wanted to spend my life focusing on the climate and conservaHon. Theinternship launched my long-term career in clean energy.”
• My internship “kickstarted my interest in scienHfic inquiry and earth sciences.”
• “It cemented my passion and excitement for pursuing medicine as my career choice.”
• My Pinhead Internship was the “first of many biology-focused internships I hadthroughout college.”
• “I realized my academic passion for science.”
• “It showed me modern physicists doing modern physics.”
• “It affirmed my passion for STEM.”
• “It fostered my interest in Spanish and travel, specifically to LaHn America.”
• My internship gave me “an educaHon and exposure to health inequity and thechallenges people face.”
• “It showed what university research looks like.”
• “It gave me laboratory experience and insight into how deeply narrow and specializedpeople can get into their fields.”
• My internship “inspired me to do things out of my comfort zone and outside of the U.S.;gave me the confidence to pursue a science major, specifically dieteHcs, and to study abroad, work in college, and eventually pursue a graduate degree in healthcare and start a business.”
• “It prepared me for college and life’s adventures.”

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John Johnson, Pinhead Business Research Intern, 2020-2021

NOTE ABOUT THE SURVEY & DATA COLLECTION

• John spent more than 125 hours over 10 months trying to collect and organize more than 4,000 data points. He spent hours trying to track down past interns through email, social media, White Pages, Pinhead blogs, phone calls, and texts. He poured over old electronic and paper files for informaHon to reconstruct the data.
• With the help of Sarah Holbrooke and Nana NaisbiB, 99 past interns responded to the survey, which was emailed in stages throughout the 2020-2021 academic year. With a total of 234 past interns from 2004 to 2020, the response rate was an impressive 42%.
• The 2021 interns were not surveyed, but the data from 31 interns who are currently on or about to go on internships are included. Two addiHonal 2021 internships are not completely solidified yet and their informaHon is not included here, except in the total number of internships.NUMBER OF INTERNSHIPS 2004 – 2021

• 267 total interns
AVERAGE LENGTH OF INTERNSHIP

• 42 days (six weeks)
Internships have varied from three days to ten months, but the average of all the internships,

including the 2021 interns, is exactly 42 days or six weeks.

TOTAL NUMBER OF DAYS SPENT ON INTERNSHIPS

• 11,068
The total number of days spent on Pinhead Internships is 11,068, including 31 of the 33

internships in 2021.

INTERNS ARE CHOSEN FROM 11 DIFFERENT COLORADO & NEW MEXICO HIGH SCHOOLS

• Cortez High School, CO
• Dolores High School, CO
• Farmington High School, NM
• Montrose High School, CO
• Norwood High School, CO
• Nucla High School, CO
• Olathe High School, CO
• Ouray High School, CO
• Ridgway High School, CO
• Telluride High School, CO
• Telluride Mountain School, CO

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LOCATION OF PINHEAD INTERNSHIPS

11 different countries:

• Bahamas
• Botswana
• Costa Rica
• Germany
• Iceland
• Nepal
• Panama
• Peru
• Scotland
• United States
• Virgin Islands28 different states, including Washington D.C.:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• ConnecHcut
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Illinois
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• MassachuseBs
• Nevada
• New Mexico
• New York
• Nevada
• North Carolina
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Virginia
• Washington, D.C.

John Johnson, Pinhead Business Research Intern, 2020-2021

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• Washington State INSTITUTIONAL DATA

• 129 different insHtuHons

Interns were placed in at least 129 disHnct insHtuHons, including:

• California Academy of Sciences
• Colorado School of Mines
• CRREL (U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory)
• Dartmouth College
• Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
• Lowell Observatory
• MIT
• NASA (NaHonal AeronauHcs and Space AdministraHon)
• NOAA (NaHonal Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministraHon)
• Northwestern University
• Scripps Research InsHtute
• Smithsonian NaHonal Zoo
• Smithsonian NaHonal Zoo’s ConservaHon Biology InsHtute
• Smithsonian InsHtuHon NaHonal Museum of Natural History
• Smithsonian Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
• Smithsonian American Art Museum
• Stanford University
• University of Chicago
• United States Bureau of ReclamaHon
• University of Colorado Boulder
• Williams College
• Woods Hole Oceanographic InsHtuteDIFFERENT INTERNSHIP TYPES

• 118 different internship types

Students were placed in at least 118 different STEM internships types, including:

• AddicHon Research
• AeronauHcal Engineering
• Aerospace Engineering
• Agriculture
• Anthropogenic PolluHon
• Anthropology
• Archaeology
• Architecture
• Art ConservaHon & Museum Science
• Astrobiology

John Johnson, Pinhead Business Research Intern, 2020-2021

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• Astronomy
• Astrophysics
• Astronomical Polarimetry
• Atmospheric and Space Physics
• AviaHon
• Behavioral Science
• Biochemistry
• Biodiversity
• Biological Systems Research
• Biophysics
• Biotechnological engineering
• Botany
• Cancer Research
• Carbon Emissions
• Chemical Engineering
• Chemistry
• Climate Science
• ComputaHonal Biology
• ComputaHonal Chemistry
• ComputaHonal Structural Biology
• Computer Science
• ConservaHon Science
• Coral Marine Biology
• Data Analysis
• Delta Environment Studies
• DenHstry
• Digital Engineering
• Diphoton Research
• Drone Technology
• Ecology
• Emergency Medicine
• Entomology
• Environmental Architecture
• Environmental EducaHon
• Environmental Engineering
• Environmental Science
• EpigeneHcs
• EvoluHonary and ConservaHon GeneHcs
• Field Biology
• Forensic Entomology
• Forensic Psychology
• Game Development
• Gene MutaHon Research

John Johnson, Pinhead Business Research Intern, 2020-2021

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• GeneHcs
• Health Equity
• Healthcare
• Husbandry of Large Farm Animals
• Hydraulic Modelling
• Hydraulics
• Ion Channel Research
• Library Science
• Mammalogy
• Marine Biology
• Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry
• Marine GeneHcs
• Marine Invertebrate ConservaHon
• Marine Science
• Marine Science EducaHon
• MathemaHcs
• Mechanical Engineering
• Medicine
• Microbiology
• Mine ExploraHon Geology
• Museum Science and CuraHon
• Music and Brain Science
• Natural Resources ConservaHon
• Naval Architecture
• Neural RehabilitaHon
• Neural Science and Metabolism
• Neuroscience
• Neurology
• Oceanography
• Ophthalmology
• Organic Farming
• Ornithology
• OrthodonHcs
• Orthopedic and Biomechanics
• Paleobotany
• Paleontology
• Paleoclimatology
• ParHcle Physics
• Permafrost Research
• Physical Therapy
• Physics
• PlasHc Surgery
• PoliHcal Science and Data Analysis

John Johnson, Pinhead Business Research Intern, 2020-2021

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John Johnson, Pinhead Business Research Intern, 2020-2021

• PreservaHon Science
• Psychology
• Quantum CompuHng
• Quantum Physics
• Remote Wilderness First Aid Training
• Renewable Energy
• RoboHcs
• Satellite Technology Research
• ScienHfic IllustraHon
• Space Science
• Spinal Cord Research
• Surgery
• Sustainable Architectural & CommuniHes
• Sustainable Clothing Manufacturing
• Sustainability
• Tree Physiology
• Veterinary Medicine
• Veterinary Science
• Virtual Reality ProducHon
• Virus Research
• Waste Management
• Wildlife Biology
• ZoologyCOLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES THAT PAST PINHEAD INTERNS ATTENDED OR ARE ATTENDING, INCLUDE:

• Carnegie Mellon
• Colorado College
• Dartmouth College
• Georgetown University
• Harvard University
• MIT
• Stanford University
• University of California, Berkeley
• University of California, Santa Barbara
• University of Chicago
• University of Michigan
• University of Notre Dame
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• University of Southern California
• Williams College
• Yale University

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John Johnson, Pinhead Business Research Intern, 2020-2021

PERCENTAGE OF INTERNS WHO ARE MAJORING OR MAJORED IN STEM IN COLLEGE

• 81% majored in STEM

Of the 97 students who answered this quesHon and who are currently in college or graduated, 79 students are majoring or majored in STEM fields. This equals 81%. (If you include “finance” as a related stem field, the percentage grows to 86%.) Note, at least two past interns completed their PhD’s in STEM fields. Many earned their Master’s Degrees.

Their STEM majors include:

• Aerospace Engineering
• Animal and Veterinary Science
• Anthropology, concentraHng on Archeology
• Architecture
• ArHficial Intelligence
• Astronomy/ Astrophysics
• Astrophysics
• AviaHon Flight OperaHons (2 students)
• Biochemistry, Pre-med concentraHon
• Bioengineering
• Biology, concentraHon Botany
• Biology (4 students)
• Biomedical Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering & Computer Science
• Biomedical Sciences
• Electrical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering with a Biological Focus
• Chemistry
• Civic/Structural Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Science (3 students)
• Computer Science with minor in Chemistry
• CreaHve Technologies & Design
• Earth & Environmental Science
• Ecology & EvoluHonary Biology (3 students)
• Ecosystem Science & Sustainability
• Electrical Engineering (2 students)
• Engineering, with a Design emphasis

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John Johnson, Pinhead Business Research Intern, 2020-2021

• Engineering & Physics
• Environmental Analysis & Spanish (Double Major), Minor in Music
• Environmental & Sustainable Studies
• Environmental Chemistry & Economics (Double Major)
• Environmental Engineering and Earth & Planetary Sciences (Double Major)
• Exercise Science
• Forest Science
• Geography
• Geophysics
• Geosciences
• Human Biology
• Integrated Sciences, with an emphasis on Biochemistry
• IntegraHve Physiology
• Marine Science & Environmental Studies (Double Major), Minor in Chemistry
• MathemaHcs
• Mechanical Engineering (2 students)
• Molecular Biology
• Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental Biology
• Molecular Engineering
• Neuroscience
• Nursing (3 students)
• Nursing, minored in Environmental Biology/Sustainable Agricultural
• NutriHon & DieteHcs, MS OccupaHonal Therapy
• Organismic & EvoluHonary Biology
• Physics & Math
• Pre-Med
• Pre-Med/Public Health
• Pre-Med, with Business
• Psychology (3 students)
• Psychology & CogniHve Science
• Psychology & Sociology
• Sociology, Minor in Medical Anthropology
• Sociology, Minor in StaHsHcal Science
• StaHsHcs and Foreign RelaHons (Double Major)
• ViHculture & EnologyPAST INTERNS WORKING IN STEM

• 83% work in STEM

Many past interns are sHll in college and are not yet in the work force. Of those who took the survey, 40 past interns responded to the career quesHon. The years indicated in the list below are when the past intern graduated from college. Of the 40 students who responded, 33 past

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John Johnson, Pinhead Business Research Intern, 2020-2021

interns are working in STEM fields, while 7 past interns are not. This means that of the respondents, 83% of the past interns chose to work in STEM:

• Urban Sustainability Directors Network and Climate Resilience Consultant – 2021
• Biotechnology for HJ Science & Technology Company – 2021
• Clinical Concierge for Southwest Memorial Hospital – 2021
• United States Navy, Student Naval Flight Officer – 2020
• Mosquito Abatement for Vector Disease Control InternaHonal, CerHfied Flight Instructor with McAir AviaHon – 2020
• NIH Post Baccalaureate Fellow/Trainee for NaHonal InsHtute of ArthriHs Musculoskeletal & Skin Diseases – 2020
• R&D Engineering Technician for Forge Nano – 2020
• Medical Assistant at Endocrinology Services Northwest – 2019
• Product/Test Engineer, Texas Instruments – 2019
• Project Coordinator for Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado – 2019
• Radio Frequency Electrical Engineer for Lockheed MarHn – 2019
• Clinical Research Coordinator for Dana Farber Cancer InsHtute – 2018
• Research Technician for University of Utah – 2018
• Design Engineer for ASEC Inc – 2017
• Research at a Health and Wellness Device company called Feelmore Labs – 2017
• Civil Engineering, P.E. NV5 – 2015
• RegeneraHve Agriculture/Land Management – 2015
• United States Forest Service with Geocorps in the Medicine-Bow NaHonal Forest and aHydrologic Technician for the Arapaho-Roosevelt NaHonal Forest, and now with Strafe

  Outerwear, Director of Ecommerce & MarkeHng Manager – 2015

• Dartmouth InsHtute for Healthcare & Health Policy and Southwest Family Physicians –2014
• OccupaHonal Therapist for Valley View Hospital – 2014
• Senior Financial Analyst for Comcast Technology SoluHons – 2014
• Biotech Project Manager Regeneron PharmaceuHcals – 2013 graduaHon
• Clinical Educator for Western Wisconsin Health – 2013
• Forestry Biologist and Mountain Guide – 2013
• OperaHng Room Sterile Technician for Overland Park Regional Medical Center
• Emma Grows Organics, Owner – 2013
• Program Manager for the World Wildlife Fund – 2013
• Co-Founder & CEO of Resonant Link (powering the electric fleets of the future throughhigh efficiency charging) – 2012
• The Muscle Project, Owner of a business that focuses on muscular funcHon, exercise,and mechanics – 2012
• Head of Product AnalyHcs for Rover.Com (applying to grad school to earn a PhD inBiology) – 2012
• Neuro/Orthopedic Registered Nurse St. Patrick Hospital – 2011

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John Johnson, Pinhead Business Research Intern, 2020-2021

• Field Museum of Chicago, Fellow of the NaHonal Science FoundaHon and Post-Doctoral Research ScienHst – 2011
• Propulsion Test Engineer for Agile Space Industries – 2010

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