USDA Forest Service

Range Scientist

May - August 2018 • Ephraim, UT

What I liked

Good way to get to know a little more about my internship.

What I wish was different

I wish I would have had a little more diversity in what I did.

Advice

Always stay positive and work hard and everything will work itself out.

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Recreation technician

May - August 2018 • Rifle, CO

What I liked

This experience led me to find the career I want to spend my life doing. It was an amazing experience that has changed my life.

What I wish was different

I wish my internship would have lasted longer. There is so much more I could have done if I could have participated for two summers instead of one.

Advice

Be prepared for physical labor.

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Business Intern

May - August 2018 • Grand Junction, CO

What I liked

The people from the forest service Grand Junction office were all helpful, kind and hardworking, which made my experience incredibly educational and provided me an opportunity to learn what the agency is all about.

What I wish was different

I had a really good experience and no complaints.

Advice

Be ready to work and learn to communicate with everyone around you. Try to understand what everyone does and ask as many questions as you can come up with!

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Wildland Firefighter

May - August 2018 • Springerville, AZ

What I liked

A sense of purpose, and many translatable skills gained.

What I wish was different

More training opportunities (can there ever be enough?)

Advice

Keep a good attitude and you will do well.

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Forestry Aide

May - August 2018 • Ephraim, UT

What I liked

My boss Justin Bradley, the Timber Sale Administrator, was the easiest boss to work for I have ever had. It made me want to work even harder and produce results in our timber work.

What I wish was different

This summer was amazing. The last two weeks everyone was getting on each other's nerves a lot more, but that is pretty normal after a whole summer together.

Advice

I would recommend the Forest Service to anyone. It is a solid summer job that pays very well. I plan to pursue a career in either the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife, Wyoming Game and Fish, or continue on to earn my PhD in Forestry, Range, Natural Resources or Environmental Studies and conduct research for these agencies.

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Assistant Timber Crew Leader

June - September 2018 • Randolph, UT

What I liked

I liked working outdoors with students that I already knew. Knowing the applied silvicultural method was based off of Jim Long's research showed me there is collaboration between the university and federal agencies.

What I wish was different

I would like a bit more structure in our daily duties and preparedness for the seasonal workers. Better communication between the crew lead and myself (assistant crew lead) would make our day more efficient and beneficial to everyone.

Advice

Pay attention in all your courses relating to forestry, especially land navigation, GPS, measurements, and plant I.D. Get in shape before you start your summer job. Network with as many professionals as possible and ask questions.

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Recreation Intern

May - July 2018 • Fairplay, CO

What I liked

Getting to spend most of the summer outdoors, learning from very experienced individuals.

What I wish was different

The scheduling from day to day was different. I enjoy more of a consistent plan.

Advice

It was one that changed me. It took me out of my comfort zone. I would recommend others take a chance and apply for something that would challenge you.

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Fire Dispatcher

May - August 2018 • Lakeview, OR

What I liked

I enjoyed my job when there were multiple fires for me to handle or tasks for me to take care of.

What I wish was different

It was slow at times making it hard to stay focused on positive things.

Advice

Be ready to learn and have a lot of fun while doing it. There is a lot of pressure in this job and a lot of high pressure situations, but that is the fun of it.

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Rangeland intern

May - August 2018 • Logan, UT

What I liked

I was outdoors and got to see so much of the forest land in both cache and Ogden districts. Plus I learned a lot about the major I’m going into.

What I wish was different

The things we did that day were pretty unpredictable and it’s just me but I do like to know what I’m doing for the week a little ina svante.

Advice

Stick with it, prove to them you know how to work hard.

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Sierra Nevada Carnivore Monitoring Intern

May - August 2018 • Shaver Lake, CA

What I liked

The work and terrain were challenging but the views made it all worth it. The crew was comprised of a bunch of amazing, brilliant, excited wildlife technicians always willing to share their passion.

What I wish was different

I wish I had been able to stay longer.

Advice

I would advise any potential candidates to expect a lot of difficult, off-trail hiking. The first two weeks or so are very strenuous as you're whipped into shape and acclimated to the altitude.

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Forestry Technician

June - August 2018 • Hayfork, CA

What I liked

Being out in the woods and staffing fire engines at peak fire season.

What I wish was different

Stayed longer and gotten more firefighting experience.

Advice

Do it. Branch out.

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Wildland Firefighter

May - August 2018 • Logan, UT

What I liked

Great people! Awesome experiences.... Best job in the world!

What I wish was different

More money....

Advice

Be prepared to work EXTREEMLY hard and be gone for long hours

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Forest Firefighter

May - August 2018 • Duchesne, UT

What I liked

The experience and the self accomplishment.

What I wish was different

School was after fire season.

Advice

Get in shape.

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Archaeology Assistant

May - July 2018 • London, KY

What I liked

I had the ability to apply a lot of what I learned in class to field work. My supervisor was amazing and ready to answer any questions I had for her.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Customer Service Representative

May - September 2018 • Stanley, ID

What I liked

Great experience, great people, great place!

What I wish was different

Overall it was a pretty ideal setup.

Advice

Get out and explore and share your experiences. Connect with people.

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Public Affairs Intern

May - August 2018 • Williams, AZ

What I liked

The variety of outdoor experiences.

What I wish was different

Job was good, but hard to do with any summer classes.

Advice

Don't be afraid to try new things and admit when you don't know how to do something! But definitely take an opportunity to work with public lands/natural resources.

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Wildland Firefighter

April - August 2018 • Orleans, CA

What I liked

I like the challenge of being able to work under extreme conditions. Being able to maintain composure under continously stress is a valuable skill and something I was able to practice over the summer.

What I wish was different

I wish I had gone to more fires.

Advice

Always be accountable for everything such as being on time to committing yourself mentally and physically to the day's work. As a firefighter you do not have a clue how long or how hard that day's work will be so preparing yourself to be able to do the worst job with the best attitude is an assest.

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Pathways Intern Forestry Technician

May 2018 • Boulder, CO

What I liked

Seeing a different state

What I wish was different

Wish it had been a biological technician job, instead of forestry

Advice

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Range Management

May 2018 • Idaho Falls, ID

What I liked

It showed me what I would expect in this field.

What I wish was different

I wish I would of took advantage of my time with people in my field by ask more questions.

Advice

Take in everything and do thing you wouldn’t normal try.

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Hydrology Intern

June - September 2017 • Bishop, CA

What I liked

The ability to work outside and learn hands on the various aspects of the job. The job consisted of various skill development in using peripheral equiptment to measure and survey the various recreational areas used by the public park users.

What I wish was different

Nothing. I was hoping for a permanent job offer, but that was just not possible at the time.

Advice

Networking and making connections with everyone you come into contact with. Letting them know you are interested and motivated to work in their industry.

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