Wow, what an experience it is being part of the Vetswork Environment program and having the opportunity to work for the Forest Service on a daily basis. My name is Allen and I am a forestry technician on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest where every day is a good day, full of opportunity and excitement. I have been doing this job for just over six weeks and I still cannot believe it, the wealth of knowledge and exceptional people that I am surrounded by every day is quite enjoyable. My job ranges from removing hazard trees to painting land lines to visiting schools and educating today’s youth about fire prevention with Smokey the Bear.
The natural world has always been a career field that I have desired and tried hard to attain because of its ability to give back and maintain sustainability. Leaving the military and transitioning to civilian life was a scary moment, with a million thoughts a second about what I was going to do and having no real course of action or direction to follow. After applying and attaining this opportunity with Mt. Adams Institute VetsWork AmeriCorps program my desire to attain the ever illusive full time position in the environmental field is stronger than ever. It is a program that I would recommend to anyone and encourage them to take the leap of faith much as I did.
You can learn more about the VetsWork program here: http://www.mtadamsinstitute.com/programs
2017 positions will be posted starting in September. http://www.mtadamsinstitute.com/jobs/
