Environmental Studies major

I graduated from Eckerd in 2005 with a degree in biology and environmental studies. That interest was reflected in my choice of service projects, which, to a large extent, revolved around the environment. My resume includes three spring break service trips (Alaska, Juno Beach-Florida, San Juan Islands-Washington), Palmetto Park Community Garden, Boyd Hill, Egmont Key, trash clean-ups on and off campus, hurricane relief, Habitat for Humanity and Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary. My primary motivation was always to help someone else, but I usually felt that I was the one gaining more than those I was serving. My service projects brought me to new places, gave me experiences that I never could have had if I was not a volunteer, introduced me to different people, revealed how other people lived and taught me their hardships, and equipped me with some practical knowledge relating to my career path. They were all very valuable experiences for me and helped shape who I am today.

I am currently a park ranger for the Florida Park Service, stationed at Myakka River State Park in Sarasota. Our mission is "to provide resource based recreation while preserving, interpreting, and restoring natural and cultural resources". How that plays out in a daily basis is a whole lot of serving our visitors. On some days that means cleaning the restrooms and grounds for them. On other days that means removing exotics from the beautiful landscape people come to the park to see. Of course I have to put this out there... Myakka River is a great park and can always use volunteers if anyone has an interest in the environmental field!

As for service projects outside of my job, it is a bit harder now than it was when I was in college. It makes me even more thankful for all the volunteer experiences I had while at Eckerd. I occasionally volunteer at E.C.H.O (Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization) in Fort Myers, or with my local church. When the right time and trip comes up, I would also like to go on a church mission trip out of the country.