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STUDENT GETS INSIDE SCOOP AT ARSENAL

Saturday, May 23, 2009 10:40 PM CDT

SPECIAL TO THE COMMERCIAL

Occasionally, the Pine Bluff Arsenal gets a temporary boost in manpower thanks to an internship program designed to offer students a unique opportunity.

The Minority College Relations Program is a collaborative effort between the Joint Munitions Command and Army Sustainment Command, both headquartered in Rock Island, Ill.

The Minority College Relations Program serves students of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, tribal institutions, Hispanic serving institutions and other minority serving institutions. Since 1996 the program has offered internship opportunities, giving students a chance to work at the federal level — at places like the arsenal.

Angela Murry was one of the students participating in the program. The Dumas native and University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff student worked on an ergonomic study for the Directorate of Risk Management and Regulatory Affairs while at Pine Bluff Arsenal.

“I have also been working with Larry Barnes on the environmental side doing inventories on various storage sites, checking drums for leakage and making sure they were all labeled correctly. I never thought I would be doing these types of things working for the government,” said Murry.

She had never done an ergonomics study before, and said that she didn't even know what ergonomics was. “I am well versed now,” she said.

“And, I have also gotten to really know what the arsenal does. You hear about it through the news and word of mouth, but you really don't know until you work here.”

Murry graduates next May, admitting it's been a struggle.

“Being 30 years old and going to school with kids is tough,” she said.

But her observation of the Arsenal was more of a surprise.

“There is something different every day working here. Computers I knew were something that I would always be around. I have a degree in computer networking and when I first started I didn't even know how to turn the computer on. I decided I would go on a little further.”

She said the internship has been a great experience.

“I don't regret having to leave another job to come do this. This is a great opportunity and I needed to jump on it. Just have faith and go with it.”

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