As my direct fellowship comes to an end, I can not help to think of all the guidance and advice I have gained in these last three months. As a fellow, I was tasked to work with the Fairbanks Field Office in Alaska remotely from Las Vegas, New Mexico. Even though I am in Las Vegas, NM my boss made sure to expose me to meeting and working with a variety of state agencies along with Native organizations in Alaska.

A Career Advisor was also appointed to me through the fellowship who is more than happy to keep guiding me until I find employment. I am beyond grateful to have the opportunity to work with a current FWS employee in trying to achieve my own employment in the FWS. My career advisor has been a huge help in contacting me with multiple people within the agency that are involved in my interests of working with ungulates or small mammals.

I was also invited to attend Friday with Fellows and Southwest Region 2 weekly meetings. The Friday with Fellows meetings involved various Fish and Wildlife employees presenting on a diversity of tasks and challenges that the FWS are faced with on the daily. The Southwest Region 2 weekly meetings were for fellows that were working in the Southwest Region however, since I previously worked in region 2 and am from the Southwest, I was invited to join in. The meetings ranged from talking about bird migration to National Wildlife Refuge Systems within the region.

I have a week left of my fellowship for the FWS, however I know that it is not the end of my FWS career but merely the beginning. The experience I have received having the fellowship has prepared me on what to expect working for the service as well as how to work with state and private agencies that the FWS partners with. I am eager to see what the future has in store for me and will forever be grateful for this wonderful experience.

Agency: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Program: US Fish & Wildlife Service - DFP

Location: Fairbanks Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office