College of Earth Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences

How an OSU student conquered self-doubt and landed an ocean internship

By Jennifer Rouse on Dec. 11, 2025

When Rebecca Knight first started college, freediving off a research vessel and helping Oregon State researchers uncover how microscopic fishes move through coastal waters seemed out of reach – until encouragement from her advisor and the culture of research she discovered at OSU steered her towards a career in ocean science and an unforgettable summer research experience.