I grew up in a suburb of Akron, OH right outside the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, where I gained a deep love and appreciation for the outdoors. I’ve loved hiking and kayaking since I was a kid, so I decided to study Geology at the University of Mount Union, assuming it would keep me in close contact with the natural world. I joined the U.S. Air Force as a firefighter to gain preference with the federal government when it came to employment with the USDA, DOI, etc. and it has been a great experience all around. I gained perspective on parts of the world few Americans have seen, and learned a lot about myself in the process. I applied for the Mt. Adams Institute AmeriCorps Internship because I saw the opportunity to not only work for a highly desired agency in the USFS, but also an opportunity to live and work in a beautiful part of Alaska. I strongly believe in the mission of the Forest Service, and being an avid traveler and hiker, I definitely needed to see Alaska as soon as possible. I hope to learn about the inner structure and functions of the Forest Service, and see if I am a compatible fit for long term employment with the agency. I am also excited to explore Alaska, hike some of the most scenic parts of the United States, go salmon fishing, and experience a new culture.