Sometimes, what you can’t see can hurt you, which makes Paige Rebman’s work of finding out what’s beneath the surface all the more important.

Rebman, a senior majoring in earth sciences at the University of Delaware College of Earth, Ocean and Environment, is interning for the Delaware Geological Survey (DGS), an agency at UD that focuses on geologic and hydrologic research.

Permanently established in 1951, DGS impacts everything from water resources to agriculture to energy through their work. The project that Rebman is working on will geologically map the entirety of the state. To do so, Rebman and her team have traveled to designated areas across Delaware to drill, take core samples and learn more about what kinds of rock formations are underground.

Having taken coursework on geology and earth sciences, Rebman was well prepared to work in the field, but after having spent some time out of the classroom, she has learned a lot more.

“Being able to take all that knowledge from class and apply it during my job has been really helpful,” Rebman said. “But I will say that having this experience has really helped me a lot more.”

Taking that first step out of the classroom and into the field can be daunting. Fortunately for Rebman, her experience has been anything but thanks to the people at DGS who have helped her along the way.

“I expected to know everything but that was not the case,” Rebman said. “They have been really understanding and helpful with clarifying any of my questions. It's like a family there. It's really relaxed and I don't ever feel like I have to go to work stressed out.”

As her time at UD comes to an end, Rebman is considering her next steps. As a self-described “people person,” she likes the idea of working as an environmental consultant after graduation.

Down the road, Rebman also sees a possibility of attending graduate school to obtain a business degree.

In addition to the field knowledge she has gained from this internship, Rebman explained how she has learned a lot of interesting history about the area by working with DGS.

“There are a lot of different historical things about Newark and the different formations around here,” Rebman said. “Which I think is really interesting because it wasn't something that I ever really thought about.”

The most interesting fact Rebman has learned during her time with DGS is how the namesake of Limestone Road came from the abundance of limestone found in the area where it was paved.

As Rebman progresses in her field she thinks the work DGS does could become very important as we learn more about what’s underground.

“What's going on in the world with the environment is crazy,” Rebman said. “Knowing what’s going on underneath the surface, with what we don’t see is going to be really helpful”