I have to work really hard to prioritize and know when to delegate or step back on things that don’t necessarily need me, so I can focus more on other items. It can also be a challenge to work in an organization that operates in partnership with another one. There are many perspectives to consider on every decision, and communication can easily go astray if you aren’t extremely intentional with it.
What advice do you have for a student interested in your industry? What skills are most crucial?
I would say my best advice is to start with internships or part-time jobs as early on as you can in college. A lot of folks wait until junior or senior year, but this is an extremely experience-based field, so the more you can get and the earlier, the better. I also think that internships can help you narrow down the specific type of work you’re interested in and where you want to do it. You can do the same job description at two different institutions and have a wildly different experience. The skills I value most are flexibility/adaptability, communication, and the ability and drive to take initiative. This is a field that constantly changing and each day is different. These skills will help you succeed in any workplace and stand out amongst your peers.
Who is your biggest inspiration? Beyond the paycheck, why do you continue to wake up and go to work each day?
While I have always been inspired by your typical conservation powerhouses such as Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey, my biggest inspirations are the mentors who brought me into this field and coached me to be the professional I am today.
