The Pointer UW-Stevens Point Student Newspaper
Graduate jobs for students pursuing careers in natural resources are particularly in demand as resource managers plan to hire seasonal employees for summer.
The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is regarded as one of the best undergraduate natural resource colleges in the country and has a reputation of producing top-notch students equipped with field skills.
Dr. Melinda Vokoun, an assistant professor of forestry, recently became co-coordinator of forestry internships. Vokoun also advises UWSP’s chapter of the Society of American Foresters.
As co-coordinator, Vokoun is a contact for the United States Forest Service and other organizations that hire college students. She helps disperse job announcements to students within various forestry disciplines.
Vokoun said employers are anxious to hire UWSP students.
“This is the time to be doing it,” Vokoun said. “Some of our contacts could be hiring as early as November next year. Apparently the competition for you guys is fierce.”
Like most faculty who distribute job announcements, Vokoun targets the broadest range of forestry students.
“Anything I get, I take the shotgun approach,” Vokoun said.
Email is a simple and effective way to reach students looking for jobs; however, students can search elsewhere.
Academic advisors can be excellent resources for leads on jobs, and many maintain bulletin boards in the Trainer Natural Resources building, with several announcements posted at all times.
Lisa Moehlmann, a peer advisor at the College of Natural Resources Student Success Center, said she refers job-searching students to The CNR Reporter: a weekly newsletter distributed by email to everyone in the CNR. Each issue has information on current events, student organizations and jobs.
Moehlmann said many majors require students to complete a summer internship before graduating.
Dr. Shelli Dubay, an associate professor of wildlife, advises students majoring in captive wildlife management.
“The ownness is on the student to land the internship,” Dubay said. “I think an internship is extremely valuable.”
Dubay said internships help with future job interviews.
“They’re not going to get hired without some experience,” Dubay said. “It shows that you have the initiative to do something in your field.”
Dubay regularly refers students to The Texas A&M Job Board, where employers post job announcements for temporary and seasonal positions around the world.
“You should definitely have your resume ready,” Dubay said. “I think our students compete quite well.”
Dubay said students are sought after because of their field camp experience at Treehaven.
“Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there,” Vokoun said. “The worst they can say is ‘no,’ and don’t be discouraged. If you really don’t know where to start, put on a nice shirt and a pair of khakis and go to the CNR career fair.”
The CNR career fair is scheduled for Feb. 19, in the Laird Room of the Dreyfus University Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will provide students an opportunity to meet potential employers.
Avery Jehnke
Reporter
ajehn738@uwsp.edu
