2024 SOAN Summer Enrichment Fund Awardee: Marissa Lum

The SOAN Summer Enrichment Fund completely facilitated my ability to accept my internship with the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority Research Branch this past summer. The fund supplemented my income from working the unpaid internship for 15 weeks from May to August and covered my transportation costs since I had to rely on the bus to get to and from the internship.

Through the internship, I was able to learn many helpful career skills, make connections with crucial people in the industry, and overall learn more about the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority and what the organization is responsible for. I was placed in the tourism research branch and was responsible for reviewing data spreadsheets, checking documents and slides before publication, and sitting in on weekly board meetings. In direct relation to my thesis interests on Hawaiʻi residents’ attitudes towards tourism and its impacts, I was able to work and have input on publications about tensions between the tourism industry and the state’s residents. I helped review and publish the 2023 Resident Sentiment Survey and 2023 Annual Visitor Research Report, along with sitting in meetings with board members on strategies for improving resident attitudes towards tourism.

Ultimately, none of this could have been possible without the generosity of the SOAN Summer Enrichment Fund, so for any other students who might be considering the grant in the future, I would highly recommend applying and taking the opportunity. Beyond the amazing financial support the grant provides, if your interests and research are oriented toward your thesis (which I would highly recommend doing), it is a great opportunity to start engaging with your thesis topic early!

- Marissa Lum 

Interested in applying for 2025’s SOAN Summer Enrichment Fund? Contact SOAN@lclark.edu or talk to your advisor for more information.