Tell us about your first job post-Graduation.
My first position after graduating was Social Science Program Manager, overseeing the National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Survey for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The survey examined visitor experiences and satisfaction across 180 field sites. I managed program logistics, helped hire seasonal interns, presented findings, and worked with partners to translate the results into practical recommendations. It was a rewarding opportunity to connect social science with conservation and help ensure that visitors’ perspectives informed refuge management.
How did your Warner College degree prepare you for this path?
Warner College helped me understand how closely natural resource challenges are connected to people and our values. That perspective has shaped my entire career in conservation social science. My education strengthened my ability to not only collect important human dimensions data, but to then translate and communicate those findings in ways that support real-world decisions.
Any advice for current WCNR students?
It's good to build up your technical skills in your concentration of choice, but you should also invest a fair amount of energy toward developing your communication and people skills. Try to find experiences dealing with others whose perspectives may differ from your own. Take advantage of opportunities to work on projects with real-world application, and pay attention to which parts of the work you enjoy the most. Remember that there are a lot of different paths you can take in the field of conservation, and your career does not have to follow a straight line.