I have a question.

[celeste]

Who do you plan on working for with that degree?

[sclibertytree]

I currently don't know.  I would very much rather NOT work for the federal or state government.  I'm sure there are jobs in the private sector for someone with a degree in rangeland ecology and watershed management.  Someone please let me know if I am correct in this or if I am mistaken.

[alexspartan]

You know, Mining companies might be interested in hiring you, especially considering the changes in consumer preferences towards "green"y and "green"er businesses and whatnot - industrial businesses might receive higher profits simply because of an increase in demand for green businesses, so any money spent in that area could be considered an investment that would yield more business, you know?  If I were you, I'd find some of them and apply, maybe try to get an interview and then explain the reason you think you might be good for the company (be sure to have some of this worked out ahead of time, maybe include some examples of other companies that have done this, and with projected increases in business from hiring you, etc.) 

Just a thought.

[kylben]

Maybe you could start your own business as a high-priced consultant to ranchers, farmers, and construction companies.  Figure out how to save them money, make the ranch/farm more productive (crop and grazing land rotation, water conservation, irrigation, I dunno), help construction with regulatory compliance, and possible "green" initiatives, or just save money.   Charge 'em 20% of the first five year's benefits (or whatever the market will bear). There might also be some need for those skills for things like site selection for various industries.  If there's a business angle in any of that, you'd probably be able to find clients all over Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, the Dakotas, and maybe beyond.

Or, there may already be such a company that you could try to get hired at.

[BenjaminHare]

I currently don't know.  I would very much rather NOT work for the federal or state government. <snip>

What about the BLM?  They are facing a serious problem in hiring qualified people.

[kylben]

I currently don't know.  I would very much rather NOT work for the federal or state government. <snip>

What about the BLM?  They are facing a serious problem in hiring qualified people.

That would be Department of the Interior, AKA FedGoons.  I'm glad they're having hiring problems, let's hope it continues.

[sclibertytree]

Working for the Bureau of Land Management would be an absolute last resort and is not an option that I am currently considering.  Working to help the feds manage the land that they THINK they own would be a step in the wrong direction for FSW.  Don't you think?  Wouldn't it be nice though, if the feds were forced to sell off some of the land that they are holding a claim on?  From what I've heard, they are letting some prime properties just sit there and remain unproductive.

Thank you  alexspartan and kylben for your ideas.  Those options that yall mentioned are more along the lines of what I will be looking into going into.  I expecially like kylben's idea of being a consultant. 

[kylben]

I expecially like kylben's idea of being a consultant.

Damn, I forgot to get you to sign my Career Consultant's contract.... you would've owed me 10% of all the money you ever made.  

Seriously, though, glad you thought the ideas were useful.  Here's another hint, for what it's worth:  look at adding a business or management minor to that, or at least taking a lot of electives in that area. Combination degrees often have a synergy that brings in more income than two people with those same degrees could, and knowing the business end of it could increase your worth to your potential clients exponentially.

[sclibertytree]

Thanks a ton kylben for the advice.  You have definitely given me more confidence in my decision to pursue that as a career.  If I were to ever make it big, I will make sure to remember you.

[kylben]

Thanks a ton kylben for the advice.  You have definitely given me more confidence in my decision to pursue that as a career.  If I were to ever make it big, I will make sure to remember you.

Well, good luck.  Just make it big and make a market.  That way, when I get up there and start looking for markets of my own, I can take you for every penny the market will bear, and we'll both benefit.

Just something to keep in the back of your mind for future reference, I'm a software engineer, and the business you're looking at is probably very software intensive - or could be.  Someday, hopefully soon, we'll both be in Wyoming looking for ways to make more money.

[sclibertytree]

Thanks Kylben.  We'll have to make sure and keep in contact.  I know that there is a lot of mapping software that goes into this profession and I'm sure there are many others.

[kylben]

Thanks Kylben.  We'll have to make sure and keep in contact.  I know that there is a lot of mapping software that goes into this profession and I'm sure there are many others.

Sure, drop me a PM, or an email through my blog.



 

[craigercj]

The company I word for has recently hired two Rangeland graduates (one from UW) for their coal mines to do permit coordination and land management. One of them is supposed to end up doing reclamation design and implementation, more of an engineering role. Don't know if they're looking for more or will be in the future. There should be opportunities in the mining industry.

[VFTR55]

The company I word for has recently hired two Rangeland graduates (one from UW) for their coal mines to do permit coordination and land management. One of them is supposed to end up doing reclamation design and implementation, more of an engineering role. Don't know if they're looking for more or will be in the future. There should be opportunities in the mining industry.

Since you used the words "engineering" and "mining" pretty close together...do you have any first-hand knowledge of what types of engineers are in demand in mining? I'm looking at mining or aerospace for now, certainly there'll be other industrial sectors to look at, but I wonder if the mining outfits up there are automated to a point where computer, electrical, and mechanical engineers are in considerable demand to even the watershed management, geotech/enviro/civil engineers, etc.

It'd be great if a handful or more of FSWers can pull some brains, funds, and resource strategy together and make a start-up venture. Reading posts by some other folks on here who've mentioned moving out to WY and starting up their own companies definitely gives a vigorous rush to the often stressful task of getting a business up and running. With WY being ranked #1 of 50 states for low business/corporate taxes, makes me feel a lot more excited about entrepreneur ops, even with the socialist BS from the feds about to kick into overdrive.

[Seniortech]

I personally know of two recent eng grads (May 08), one an ME from Louisiana Tech and the second a ChemE from Penn State.  Both are working (and training) as field engineers in natural gas production for Halliburton in Rock Springs.