I really liked my supervisor and the people I worked with and I just loved to get out in the field everyday.
What I wish was different
I wish that I could have done more useful things actually building fence or developing springs rather than driving around monitoring horses
Advice
It's different than other BLM internships so be prepared to be versatile and do different jobs everyday.
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Range Tech
June - August 2019 • Alturas, CA
What I liked
Spending time outdoors is something I have always enjoyed and this job allowed me to do just that! I was responsible for a big project and everyone I worked with was very helpful and wanted me to succeed. I would highly recommend interning for the BLM Office in Alturas, CA.
What I wish was different
Advice
Start the application process early! The federal government job applications can take some time and you may need help from someone who is currently employed there to guide you through the process.
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Range Intern
June - August 2019 • Carlsbad, NM
What I liked
I liked the people I work with,and the field trips we took.
What I wish was different
I wish I had participated in other departments and not just the range department.
Advice
Always wear a seatbelt even when driving on a dirt road.
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Wildland Firefighter
May 2019 • Twin Falls, ID
What I liked
Outdoors, excitement and adrenaline, adventure.
What I wish was different
More time at home sometimes.
Advice
Work hard and learn.
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BLM intern
May - August 2019 • Kanab, UT
What I liked
I enjoyed learning new things about the wildlife in my area and getting to go outdoors a lot!
What I wish was different
I wish I had more instruction as to what I should be doing, and felt like I had more of a purpose doing it.
Advice
To learn everything you can from your mentor!
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Wildland Firefighter
May - September 2020 • Safford, AZ
What I liked
Saving the landscape
What I wish was different
Nothing
Advice
Try it
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Recreation technician
May 2019 • Kanab, UT
What I liked
I loved my immersive experience in the outdoors and all of the connections I was able to make with my office.
What I wish was different
I wish I could transition into a full time position doing the same thing I’m doing in my internship.
Advice
Internships are an amazing opportunity for college students and should definitely be taken advantage of.
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Forestry Technician
May - August 2019 • Cedarville, CA
What I liked
I loved spending time outside, hiking and working hard on the fireline, working with quality people and building great relationships.
What I wish was different
My location in Cedarville, CA was a little different than I had anticipated before relocating out there for the position.
Advice
If you would like to learn the skill of working hard, dealing with struggles and learning to overcome them. This is a great job for that, constantly challenging and a great experience for someone who enjoys working and being in the outdoors like myself.
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Rangland management specialist
May - August 2019 • Canon City, CO
What I liked
Almost everything, I spent nearly every day outside in a new location seeing all sorts of environment, great coworkers, awesome area to explore on my time off I worked for ten hour days so I had long weekends. Most importantly I really enjoyed knowing I was working to make the land healthy and substantial for everyone
What I wish was different
I wish I could have stayed longer, had more chance to see other operations in the office
Advice
Get help making your USDA job profile, it isn't intuitive or how other places would review an applicant
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Archaeological Technician
May - September 2019 • Meeker, CO
What I liked
I liked all of the different aspects of archaeology that I learned, that are not traditionally taught in college.
What I wish was different
Nothing, I enjoyed my experience.
Advice
Be prepared for anything when you take an internship, things are constantly changing. Adaptability is definitely a good characteristic to have when interning.
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Hydrologist Intern - Water Rights tech
May 2019 • Malad City, ID
What I liked
I liked being outdoors and being challenged to overcome rough terrain and long hours. I really enjoyed learning about our hydrologic cycle and being able to see that cycle through our landscape, and coming out springs on the side of mountains.
What I wish was different
I wish we could have spent more time testing the quality of the water coming out the springs and further down the stream. It would have possibly be vital information on the effects of grazing cattle and our watershed.
Advice
Comfortable shoes, sun screen, and determination are essential to get through this experience. You need to expect rough hikes, terrain, thick vegetation, and poor weather and be mentally prepared to keep pushing through it.
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Biological Science Aid
June - September 2019 • Pocatello, ID
What I liked
Wonderful staff that always made learning new things a breeze.
What I wish was different
Advice
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Wildland Firefighter
May - August 2019 • Burley, ID
What I liked
Experience, people, and money.
What I wish was different
More time for summer activities and travels.
Advice
Such a good character building job and you stay in great shape.
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Lead Hotshot Firefighter
April - November 2019 • Pocatello, ID
What I liked
Leading a group of men and women in a fluid environment
What I wish was different
it Would have been nice if the rookies had a more competitive attitude
Advice
Small words of praise go a long way when a project is long and arduous
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Field research
May - August 2019 • Kanab, UT
What I liked
The job was amazing with so many new experiences. I discovered new species of reptiles that I have never seen before, every day that I was out working.
What I wish was different
I wish I had been able to find more rattlesnakes than what we did, but it was still an amazing experience
Advice
Advice that I'd give is that it is very hard work. Make sure that you prepare for 4 days away from home and always to have extra water.
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Petroleum Engineering Intern
June - August 2018 • Washington, DC
What I liked
I really liked the opportunity to work in Washington D.C. It was a very different environment than what I'm used to and involved a lot of policy work. It was something that I realized that I didn't enjoy very much but I'm glad that I got the opportunity to experience it and learn from it.
What I wish was different
The mentor that I was assigned was very confusing. If mentors could be monitored more closely and possibly have stricter rules I think it would improve the experience.
Advice
Make sure to not get too involved in work! It's very important to do good work while you're on the job, but don't kill yourself working tons of extra hours when you're only a summer intern! Make sure to get out of the workplace and experience the culture of the place that you're at!
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Range Technician
May 2019 • Cedar City, UT
What I liked
I loved the Cedar City Field Office. Not only did I meet new people but I made new friends and connections that continue to benefit me even after the summer internship is over.
What I wish was different
Advice
Be ready to learn and ready to work hard.
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Cadastral Survey Tech
June 2020 • Billings, MT
What I liked
1) Enjoyed being outside 90% of the time.
2) Working Environment was laid back, yet productive.
3) Paid traveling with per diem.
4) Flexible scheduling around my National Guard obligations.
5) Being able to explore the remote parts of MT, SD and ND.
What I wish was different
1) Less arbitrary restrictions due to COVID.
Advice
Connections are everything in regards with working for Land Agencies, ensure that whenever you pursue a career in a path, especially in one highly bureaucratic with limited positions, that you get your foot in the door sooner rather than later. If you must sacrifice a semester to continue your work. DO SO. It never hurts to benefit your career first than immediately return to school.
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Range Tech
May - August 2019 • Kanab, UT
What I liked
I liked being outside almost every day.
What I wish was different
Nothing
Advice
Be on time every day and be willing to change plans to do what is required of you.
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Wildland Firefighter
May - August 2019 • Safford, AZ
What I liked
I’ve been doing this for 4 summers now, it’s all for a good cause. Saving forests and homes is always rewarding.
What I wish was different
Being a squad boss there’s always ways to improve myself to become a better leader to the members of my squad. Always lessons to be learned to be better.
Advice
It’s a hard job 60% of the time, but 100% of the times I will always come back because there is just never anything like it. The experiences, the people, the personal growth....it’s always worth it.
