Good evening, INGO! (Warning, potentially "TL
R".. I can be verbose!)
As the title suggests, I am interested in becoming a DNR Conservation Officer. I figured there have to be a few of you on the forums, and plenty of folks with some knowledge on the subject, so I seek your advice. Without boring you too much, let me share a bit about me. I graduated high school and went straight off to college because that's what you're supposed to do. A year and a half into my CS/Mathematics program I realized just how expensive college was. Working two jobs and going to school full-time, along with grants/loans was just covering it. Not seeing a point in digging that hole any deeper, I moved on to the next step in my "plan." I joined the United States Army. (My father served, and just about every able-bodied male preceding me. It was the plan to join after college.) I served my four years honorably, three of which were OCONUS.
I've been out eight years now. Took a few years to find my footing, but have been working for a small retail chain for the last five. I worked my way up from part-time associate and now am the general manager for two of their locations. Unfortunately, they're making some cuts to save overhead cost. I've been informed that I'm on that list (low on the list, but I'm there.) So, I've started the dreaded job hunt. I recently took part of a really interesting "reverse job fair." In it, employers walked around scoping out potential employees and their booths. The hardest, and most consistent, question I was asked was "what would be the perfect job for you?"
I had a hard time answering that question. You see, I have a two year old girl and a five month old boy and I've been doing a job I enjoyed for the last five years. I didn't expect to be pursuing another career at this point! So I took that question home with me, and it got my mind turning. I was a Boy Scout. Hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, backpacking, and shooting all fuel me, as I'm sure they do many of you. With no former LEO experience or training, a Forest/Park Ranger is out of my grasp. But I do meet the qualifications for the DNR CO. But most importantly, I can't imagine a job I would be as glad to have for the next decade or two.
So, INGO, I humbly seek your input. I've taken the pre-qualification exam and submitted my information for consideration. What's next?
R".. I can be verbose!)As the title suggests, I am interested in becoming a DNR Conservation Officer. I figured there have to be a few of you on the forums, and plenty of folks with some knowledge on the subject, so I seek your advice. Without boring you too much, let me share a bit about me. I graduated high school and went straight off to college because that's what you're supposed to do. A year and a half into my CS/Mathematics program I realized just how expensive college was. Working two jobs and going to school full-time, along with grants/loans was just covering it. Not seeing a point in digging that hole any deeper, I moved on to the next step in my "plan." I joined the United States Army. (My father served, and just about every able-bodied male preceding me. It was the plan to join after college.) I served my four years honorably, three of which were OCONUS.
I've been out eight years now. Took a few years to find my footing, but have been working for a small retail chain for the last five. I worked my way up from part-time associate and now am the general manager for two of their locations. Unfortunately, they're making some cuts to save overhead cost. I've been informed that I'm on that list (low on the list, but I'm there.) So, I've started the dreaded job hunt. I recently took part of a really interesting "reverse job fair." In it, employers walked around scoping out potential employees and their booths. The hardest, and most consistent, question I was asked was "what would be the perfect job for you?"
I had a hard time answering that question. You see, I have a two year old girl and a five month old boy and I've been doing a job I enjoyed for the last five years. I didn't expect to be pursuing another career at this point! So I took that question home with me, and it got my mind turning. I was a Boy Scout. Hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, backpacking, and shooting all fuel me, as I'm sure they do many of you. With no former LEO experience or training, a Forest/Park Ranger is out of my grasp. But I do meet the qualifications for the DNR CO. But most importantly, I can't imagine a job I would be as glad to have for the next decade or two.
So, INGO, I humbly seek your input. I've taken the pre-qualification exam and submitted my information for consideration. What's next?
