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Abundant Advice at Mentorship Event

Published January 2008
Story Source: Christine Tew

Ben Voss, a senior in fisheries and wildlife, discusses job opportunities with federal park ranger Brian Thompson.

In the School of Natural Resources, students are looking for jobs and alumni are ready with advice and openings. Internships and interviews dominated discussion during the second annual "Chillin' with SNR Mentors" event.

Student participants learned that experience does not necessarily need to be in their career field to be useful in the future.

Jeff Finley, from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, suggested that young people look for skills in their current positions that they can apply in the future. "Look at what you do, whether it is working in a team, training or supervising others," he said. "Then apply it to the job."

Skills like backing a trailer or performing light vehicle maintenance may be related to the position, even if they aren't listed on the job announcement, Finley said. "Toot your horn. If you can do it, tell them about it."

A panel of 11 mentors answered questions from 48 students and then adjourned to the Emogene H. Sampson Student Reading Room for a chili supper.

"Get to Know Your Professors"

Extension forester and associate professor Hank Stelzer offered students advice on finding positions through the University. "Get to know your professors," he said. "The faculty in the School of Natural Resources many not know of any jobs, but they probably know somebody who knows somebody. That's how you get a job right now."

The SNR alumni also encouraged job-seekers to participate in the student job fair during the upcoming Missouri Natural Resources Conference. More than 100 positions will be available during that fair, Stelzer said.