I grew up in Salem, Oregon, with my brother, mother, and stepfather. I lived in Salem until I joined the U.S. Navy, where I served as a Hospital Corpsman (Medic) for eight years in various locales/environments. Most of that time was spent with the U. S. Marine Corps, attached to multiple infantry...
My name is Deonza Mohamed. I was born and raised in California. I am a U.S. Navy Veteran with 16 years of military service. My main job while serving was satellite communications. I am a lifelong university professional currently working on my fifth college degree in Biological Sciences. I am...
Hello, my name is Sean West. My mother instilled an appreciation for the outdoors and our public lands when I was growing up. From rock climbing, mountain biking, and hiking, to a simple overnight car camping trip, we eagerly explored the Midwest, where I was raised. When I entered the Air Force...
Hi! My name is Logan Walker. I split my youth between the fields of South Georgia and the Appalachian Mountains. I was always an outdoorsy kid, but my love for the natural environment really took off when I moved to the mountains. I quickly fell into a wonderful group of educators and students,...
Greeting and salutations, my name is Darrell. I was born in Lawton, OK and spent most my life moving state from state. Before graduating high school, I'd already lived in nine states and attended dozens of different schools. This upbringing gave me an adaptive mindset that served me well while...
My name is Colton. I grew up in Northern Michigan, so an internship with one of the various locations of the Forest Service in the US felt like a great choice. I was raised to fish and hunt, and time on the water felt right. I was in the medical services while serving in the United States Air...
My name is Carlos Galeano. I am originally from Brooklyn, NY, but I was raised in the vibrant outdoors of Tampa, Florida. While I've always been drawn to the city's energy, my heart belongs to the countryside. Soccer has been my lifelong passion, but I enjoy exploring the great outdoors equally....
My name is Sara-Jo. As a prideful AmeriCorps NCCC class XV alumni, I have direct national community service experience in disaster relief, trail building, and wilderness preservation. Afterward, I enlisted in the PA Army National Guard for 8 years and served on the Counterdrug Joint Task Force in...
My name is Kathryn. I grew up in Corcoran, MN with my older brother and twin sister. I was very involved in sports growing up including soccer, basketball, and track. I continued my soccer career through to college. I graduated with a degree in Natural Resources- Park Management from the...
I grew up surrounded by the breathtaking natural landscapes of Southeast Alaska, where my love for the outdoors was nurtured from a young age. Exploring the Tongass National Forest, fishing and enjoying the Stikine River, hiking, jet boating, scuba diving, and working as a guide have instilled in...
VetsWork Intern Joesph Powell speaks to his time as an MAI intern working at the U.S. Forest Service.
Over the course of his internship Cooper Roberts learned a lot. Like…a lot, a lot. And he also helped to teach his supervisor some things along the way!
“We threw him in the deep end of a mid-career GIS analysis process…”
In her captivating short story, Sophia Mosbrucker recounts a thrilling night as a Refuge Technician during her MAI Land Stewards Internship. Amidst the stillness and starlight reflections, she learns the intricacies of frog calling and the excitement of wildlife tracking, all while overcoming her fear of the dark.
Meet Nate Jensen, one of our incredible AmeriCorps interns working with the Willamette Resources and Educational Network (WREN) in the beautiful West Eugene Wetlands! Since May, Nate has jumped into environmental education headfirst, teaching K-12 students about local ecosystems, creating curriculum, and getting his hands dirty with fieldwork.
In this unique Field Notes entry, Heriverto “Eddy” Colado stages an unforgettable “interview” with a lamprey about his encounter with a human researcher in the field, blending storytelling and research in a way only he can and giving a voice to one of the Columbia River’s most ancient inhabitants. Paired with a dramatic video set to Hans Zimmer’s “Cornfield Chase,” Eddy’s work is sure to captivate your curiosity and expand your perspective on these incredible creatures.
Kristin grew up in rural Vermont, where her love for nature first took root. With a degree in Cultural Anthropology, she’s explored the world through NOLS in Baja, Mexico, and a study abroad semester in Nepal. Her career journey includes serving in AmeriCorps, working...
When AmeriCorps VetsWork intern Emily Kosterman signed on to serve with the U.S. Forest Service, she never imagined she’d play a role in selecting the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree.
Jessica Rodriguez reflects on her transformative journey as an MAI Land Stewards intern, From wielding chainsaws to exploring fire ecology, her experiences at Mt. Hood have reshaped her career goals and deepened her connection to the outdoors. Join her as she shares how this season of learning and growth has sprouted new possibilities for her future.
Meet Taryn Oseen, a VetsWork intern with NOAA’s Restoration Center who embodies the mission of creating connections—between people, nature, and professional growth. As a Navy veteran pursuing a career in environmental science, Taryn joined the program to gain real-world experience and close the gap between academic training and career readiness.
Changing lives and the landscape one internship at a time.