I have recently come to the conclusion that I would like to pursue a career in visitor services. Thus far, working with the Service has been a fantastic experience and External Affairs in particular has proven to be a challenging and stimulating environment in which to cut my teeth. I have been working to develop myself as a writer, videographer and photographer while also picking up some new software skills in Photoshop, Final cut pro and Adobe Indesign. The longer I stay here the more interested I become in these computer-based skills but the more I miss the social aspects of work that is anchored in a community. Now of course there is community here in the office, but that is different. Working for a small community allows me to see the effects of my work, how people are reacting to it and the difference that it makes in someone or something’s life. I don’t get a lot of that here, which has brought me to Career Goal Conclusion #2. Here is the current list:

Goal #1: I want to find full time work with an environmental agency

Goal #2: I would prefer to work in a visitor services position.

Most of my career experience thus far sets me up to be some sort of interpreter or environmental educator – so why not roll with that? Well… a recent exploration of this option has shown me that even with five years of relevant experience, a BA in wildlife Conservation and top scores on government employment questionnaires I am still not competitive for the positions I want. Why?

Veterans.

I am all for supporting our troops and making sure that they have the opportunity to reintegrate after their term of service – that is a good thing. Unfortunately for me they receive preference on government job applications which is apparently why I didn’t make the cut on my last job application. Oh, and my Unity College degree doesn't have enough zoology hours to qualify me for the biotech positions I am interested in.

So, what does this mean? Maybe I need to redefine success. It would be nice to have a cushy government job, especially with an agency with as little evil in it as the U.S. fish and Wildlife Service, but if I want to stay in the Valley that may not be an option for me. In the short term, I need a job with a decent salary and a comprehensive benefits package. So, as hard as it is to swallow it looks like I’ll be taking that from wherever I can, be it in internships, field work or retail and in the meantime I’ll start volunteering at local refuges in hopes that I impress the right people.

On the upside I officially have a 17 week, part time extension to my internship. Hopefully more opportunities will open up as a result.

Success right now needs to be meeting my basic needs and enjoying my life. Post college dream-career may be further off than I thought. The biggest lesson here is that four years of deans list work in the top 10% of your class doesn’t entitle you to a job – it just lets you apply for them.