Finding freedom to explore his 利基市场 is what drew 加勒特哈里斯 (’13) to the 环境研究 program. 实习 and undergraduate research then became key contributors to his current career path.
就像我们的许多校友一样, 加勒特哈里斯 recalls that it was the broad range of courses that the degree offered, which led to his enrollment in the 环境研究 major. He wasn’t entirely sure what he wanted to do; he just wanted to do something in the outdoors. “的 ENVST degree allowed me to explore all aspects of the environmental field without specifically tying me into a specific 利基市场 (i.e. 野生动物、渔业、水资源等.).加勒特以B的成绩毕业.A. 2013年获得ENVST学士学位,辅修生物学.
的 利基市场 他最终发现, 通过实习以及具体的经历, 严格的实地工作应用, GIS在湿地圈定中的应用, 开辟了加勒特的道路. 的 program stresses and highlights the impact of the internship experience to all its students. However students do have a choice whether they want to complete an internship or independent study to count for their 300-level field experience. 加勒特两者都选了,结果很值得.
Of his favorite memories from his PSU 阿尔图纳 days, two courses came to mind. 第一个, was experimental biology an intensive 5-credit field oriented course that covered diverse sampling methods including wetland delineation, 木材林分评估. 的 course took students outside to experience things such as electroshocking fish in Spring Run and a field trip to Stone Valley to perform salamander transect studies. 另外, he completed an independent study under the direction of Dr. 朱利安和博士. 这就是他的兴趣被激起的地方. Together they looked at “Predictive Models for the Occurrence of Green and Wood frogs Using In-pond Characteristics and Wetland Isolation.“这很耗时, 占用比平时更多的课堂时间, 但它的好处是巨大的. “At the completion of the course I was able to present our findings at a national conference as a poster submittal. 此外, the rigors of the course helped prepare me for both my advanced level coursework as well as [helped me to] understand the expectations of technical reports which I currently submit to federal/ state agencies.”
他的实习经历, Garrett,非常真实, 说明有时候这是个很好的机会 发现你自己 不 想做某事. 他很幸运, 做过两次实习就可以了, 他学到的东西至今仍对他的工作有帮助. His first internship was with Appleton Papers as an environmental engineer aide. 他进行危险废物检查, mechanical monitoring and developed safety protocols and emergency response plans. 的 best part of this job was sampling macroinvertebrates for water quality at stream outflows.
Garrett also took an internship with Shavers Creek Environmental Center as a GIS intern. Part of this job was designing and developing a working mapbook for managing their vernal pool GIS database. He also got to conduct GIS analyses that helped identify vernal pools, as well as helped with species field monitoring and surveys. After the internship experience and graduation, Garrett continued to assist Dr. 马汉博士. Julian with components of their research through various mapping and surveying needs – including work at the Flight 93 National Memorial. He even got to help graduate students at University Park with their research field surveys. Within about eight months he was hired at McCormick Taylor (2014), 哈里斯堡的一家工程咨询公司, PA where he currently is employed as an Environmental Scientist. 现在, he is primarily responsible for performing wetland and watercourse delineations, 湿地功能评估, 以及水道质量评估. 另外, he prepares NEPA documentation for environmental clearances and does environmental compliance construction monitoring. 他还表演了《信誉最好的大网投平台》&E) species habitat evaluations and population presence/absence surveys. 后者的工作极大地吸引了加勒特和, in 2019, he decided to pursue a Master’s Degree in Wildlife Science at Shippensburg University while working full-time.
What advice does Garrett give to anyone currently working through the major? 实际上他有两件作品. “Take advantage of the extra work opportunities that any professor offers you. One of the best decisions that I made as an undergrad was agreeing to help Dr. Julian with some GIS mapping needs for research he was conducting. I feel this was a foundational catalyst for all my other experiential opportunities, 因为这对我的实习有帮助, 我和其他教授的合作, 我的独立学习. 此外,建立人际网络,让自己为人所知! 与教授和行业专业人士交谈, attend conferences and/or volunteer with non-profit organizations within the 利基市场 that you are interested in pursuing. Opportunities and experiences aren’t just going to fall into your lap; you have to make them happen.”
作者:Erin Nachtman (ENVST ' 10)