What advice do you have for a student interested in your industry? What skills are most crucial?
Learn to write clearly, learn how to communicate with people from many different backgrounds and never stop studying your interests. Don't get discouraged about things that are outside of your control and take pride in doing your job well. These are all pieces of advice that apply to almost any field, but I've found them particularly important throughout my career. Also make sure you don't neglect important life skills such as reading maps, knowing your physical limitations and being able to use computer programs and basic hand tools.
Who is your biggest inspiration? Beyond the paycheck, why do you continue to wake up and go to work each day?
I care about the team of which I am in charge, and I know that they look to me as a mentor in their careers, which is very motivating to me. I have had a lot of very inspirational people in my life, ranging from family members to professors in college to older colleagues. All of them have taken the time to teach me, and it has inspired me to do the same for others.
What do you like to do when you are not evaluating the impacts of new land developments on wetlands?
I hike, I rock climb, I fly fish, I camp and kayak, I make homemade flies and fishing lures, and I play guitar to relax. I also really enjoy cooking and playing board games/strategy games with friends.
Dakota has many pictures to share with us about his exciting job in aquatic resource managment - more pictures of Dakota in his Album!
