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Chillin' with SNR Mentors

Eric Aldrich, KOMU meteorologist, talks with students about networking, coursework and job opportunities during Chillin' with SNR Mentors.

Published February 2007
Story Source: Christine Tew

Most students don't last long in college before thoughts of internships and jobs invade the days of naps and pizza, textbooks and lecture halls.

The School of Natural Resources (SNR) Alumni Board provided a time for students to get information on those opportunities, and enjoy a meal that didn't involve pepperoni, during the winter semester "Chillin' with SNR Mentors" event in the Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center on the MU campus.

The event coincided with the beginning of searches for summer internships and helped prepare students for the career fair at the Missouri Natural Resources Conference (MNRC), Jan. 31 to Feb. 2.

Fisheries and wildlife alum Travis Moore liked that the event fell shortly before the MNRC. "I hope that we gave them the courage to introduce themselves to someone new there and to apply for some of the jobs," he said.

The MNRC is a professional development and networking event that features a large career fair for students and professionals. SNR Alumni Board President Kathi Moore answered many questions from students about gaining the experience needed for most positions in the natural resources fields. She said that she volunteered with many agencies and organizations rather than pursuing internships as many college students do today.

"Volunteering is a great way to build a network," she said. "It also taught me who I didn't want to work for, and who I did want to work for."

Mentors also encouraged students to keep an open mind about their careers. Don't have a plan for your life, because you will miss opportunities and probably be disappointed, Jeremy Kolaks said. "I was going to be on the top of a mountain in Wyoming," he said. "But now I'm the computer guy most of the time."

The students had plenty to gain from this program, and many in attendance commented that it was more than worth their time. "I learned quite possibly some of the best information of my college career," said Dave Haberl, a freshman from VanBuren, Mo.

Thirty-four students peppered the ten-member alumni panel with questions about networking, coursework and job opportunities for more than an hour. The discussions continued in small groups during a chili supper sponsored by SNR.