I love volunteering for the WDNR at Buena Vista Wildlife Area. There are many opportunities to gain experiences with a wide variety of management techniques.
What I wish was different
Advice
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Parks and Recreation Specialist
May 2019 - July 2020 • Fish Creek, WI
What I liked
Hands on work, versatility in daily functions, mostly working outside, and being able to work both independently and with a team. Additionally, I was provided free opportunities to be trained and certified to operate tractors, chainsaws, and other equipment.
What I wish was different
The time I spent at Peninsula was sort of an interim time with different leadership positions becoming vacant and getting filled, so that changed the flavor of the experience but didn’t make it any worse.
Advice
Something I learned more about how to do in this role is to be a better advocate for yourself: be humble enough to ask for help when needed, but proud enough to ask for more responsibility when desired.
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Facilities and Repair - Advanced
May - August 2019 • Fish Creek, WI
What I liked
Onsite housing made getting to work easy and living at Peninsula State Park was an incredible experience. With 45 miles of trails to explore and work on, the trails specialist position was incredibly rewarding. The staff at the park was amazing and everyone is so friendly.
What I wish was different
Advice
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State Natural Area Intern (Wisconsin DNR)
June - August 2020 • Kansasville, WI
What I liked
I loved the new experiences and teaching opportunities that I got during this summer internship. I learned a lot while also feeling very safe with the COVID regulations!
What I wish was different
I wish that we had more time this last summer; it took awhile to get back into the field because of COVID. However, this was not any one person's fault!
Advice
I would advise new interns to ask many questions and get all that they can out of the experience! The supervisors have a lot to teach, so interns need to make sure they open themselves up to learn!
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SNA (State Natural Area) internship
July - August 2020 • Green Bay, WI
What I liked
This internship had a friendly and transparent work environment, educational work where you could learn both species and treatments for plants, and finally, this internship allowed me to learn about future careers and what to expect in this field.
What I wish was different
I wish the internship started earlier, but the only reason it started so late was due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Advice
Be ready for long hikes and be able to lift heavy objects on your back for long amounts of time. I would also recommend that you be ready to work in any weather.
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Creel Clerk
May - August 2019 • Ashland, WI
What I liked
the social aspect
What I wish was different
the days I had off
Advice
be social with the public
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LTE Conservation Warden - Devils Lake State Park
May 2018 • Baraboo, WI
What I liked
This is my dream job and it allowed me to work outside and interact with the public. The job also allows me to have a ton of freedom of what I want to do each day at work.
What I wish was different
Nothing
Advice
Volunteer, get involved with student organizations and clubs, it doesn't hurt to apply for a job you might not think you'd normally get.
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Fishing in the Neighborhood Intern
June - August 2019 • Milwaukee, WI
What I liked
It was nice to be able to work with both the DNR and Urban Ecology Center as far as networking. I really loved working with different communities and teaching a skill.
What I wish was different
I wish I could have stayed longer!
Advice
Network with as many people and organizations as you can!
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Laborer
May - August 2019 • Kansasville, WI
What I liked
Working outside
What I wish was different
Better pay for the hard work we did.
Advice
Dont start a labor job if you cant do hard labor, you slow everything down.
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Aquatic Biologist
May - August 2019 • Chilton, WI
What I liked
I got to set my own hours and work independently at a wide variety of job sites. I got to work outdoors! I worked and educated people on the dangours of aquatic invasive species and ways to prevent them from spreading to other water bodies in Wisconsin.
What I wish was different
Nothing
Advice
Be self motivated and driven. Make sure you are a people person and know your stuff on biology.
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Parks and Rec Specialist
May - August 2019 • Grantsburg, WI
What I liked
Working outdoors, variation of job duties, excellent coworkers.
What I wish was different
Wish I had been able to stay longer into the year.
Advice
Stay on top of self-discipline.
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Laborer
May - August 2019 • Blanchardville, WI
What I liked
I got to work outside in a state park.
What I wish was different
I wish there was a little more direction.
Advice
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Naturalist
May 2019 • Hartford, WI
What I liked
I combined my passion for the outdoors and my love of people. I get to teach the public about all sorts of topics. Pollinators, semi-aquatic mammals, WI poetry, guided hikes, community bonfires; I get to connect people to the outdoors. It is extremely rewarding.
What I wish was different
I wish more people knew about all the educational opportunities the Wisconsin State Parks have to offer. It is truly amazing!
Advice
It's ok not to know everything, just be open to learning along the way. Your experience is what you make of it!
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State Natural Area Restoration Intern
May - August 2019 • Eagle, WI
What I liked
Learned a TON and all is applicable to my field of study: environmental science.
What I wish was different
Wish there was an opportunity for return, although it does still help when looking for jobs now (more references and experience).
Advice
Do internships early!!!!!! They are so important. I wish I would've done one every summer but I only did one the summer prior to senior year. They will help you find a job more than your major, your classes, or your GPA. Do internships/find real world experience whether it be research or whatever, make connections, obtain references, and you will be much more likely to find a job you enjoy within your field of study.
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wildlife and forestry
May - August 2019 • Friendship, WI
What I liked
Liked the restoration work and the supervisors.
What I wish was different
Shorter commute for work.
Advice
Be willing to try new things and give the best effort you can it will payoff. The challenges on the job will teach you.
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Fishing in the Neighborhood Intern
May - August 2018 • Milwaukee, WI
What I liked
I had the opportunity to work with many inner-city kids at the Urban Ecology Center this summer, and got to educate them about fishing and the environment. It was very rewarding to help kids do an activity that they may not have otherwise gotten a chance to do. I was also able to work with the Wisconsin DNR and the US Fish and Wildlife Service at the marinas along Lake Michigan, where we worked with anglers to identify fish, weigh and measure catches, and collect bio data for research purposes. This aspect of the internship actually lead me to my current job with the DNR.
What I wish was different
Advice
Keep an open mind and have a sense of humor! This internship requires a lot of activities and sometimes things go wrong, but you need to make the best out of every thing and keep a positive attitude.
