Career Roadmap
Jacob's work combines: Environment & Nature, Government, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Environmental/Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism
Western Illinois University
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Park Naturalists:
High School
Bachelor's Degree: Environmental/Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
My military service in the Marine Corps really made me what I am today.
2.
I'd advise just about anyone to serve so they can learn these valuable life skills without the debt.
3.
After getting out, I knew that I wanted to work as a park ranger.
4.
I took a job at Mammoth Caves in Kentucky, mostly because they were the first people to hire me.
5.
After that job, I realized you could actually get a degree in outdoor recreation/tourism—who knew?
6.
I got my bachelor's degree from Western Illinois University in exactly that.
7.
I took a job with the National Parks Service working in Canyonlands National Park in Utah.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
Why did you enlist? What would you do that for?
How I responded:
Most of my friends, and even some of my family members, questioned why I joined the military. Then, when I was getting out, all of my counselors chastised me for leaving! So no matter what, you're going to face people who are trying to influence your decisions. What you need to know is that the world doesn't care about you—you're just like every other person on this earth. So it's up to you to make decisions for yourself and create your own happiness. There'll always be noise around; so what?