Montana is Your Classroom

Transcript

Okay, let’s hear from Jonathan, he grew up more than 2000 miles away in New York City and chose to attend Montana because of its unmatched outdoor recreation opportunities. Jonathan graduated with a degree in Wildlife Biology and a minor in Climate Change Studies. And we cannot wait to hear his story, Jonathan, how you doing?

– Thanks for the introduction, Alex, growing up, hiking, fishing, and enjoying nature. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in wildlife and natural resources, but I wasn’t sure how I’d contribute to some of the formidable environmental challenges that we’re facing. Then I found the University of Montana, studying wildlife biology at UM, puts you in the middle of cutting edge research and policy around wildlife, climate change and natural resources. UM is surrounded by millions of acres of public land, which allows students to get hands-on experience in a variety of ecosystems. Our classes take you into the field to collect data and meet with biologists, ranchers, and policymakers, people on the front lines of some of the most pressing conservation issues. UM students also have a ton of support for pursuing exciting internships. Internships that have taken me to the desert of Arizona to study endangered species, in the mountains of Montana, studying elk and wildfire, and working on policy in Washington DC. Being part of an active community of graduate students and professors who are leaders in their field create exciting opportunities for undergraduate students. My advisor professor Joshua Millspaugh invited me to join the Boone and Crockett Wildlife Conservation Lab. One of only a handful of its kind in the nation. I got hands-on experience studying the impacts of wildfire on mammals in Montana’s amazing Bob Marshall wilderness. And on the policy side, we lobbied the Montana State Legislature to pass a law, to make hunting accessible to Montana college students. UM was the first university in the nation to offer a joint program to earn a bachelor’s in wildlife biology and a master’s in public administration. The combination of science and policy experience that I’m gaining through this program has prepared me for a career to address some of those pressing natural resource challenges like climate change, sustainable energy and land and wildlife conservation. I’m thrilled to share my experience at UM, and now back to you, Alex.

– Wow, that was great. Jonathan is a prime example that not all UM classrooms are indoors. At the University of Montana students learn and gain experience by doing. Oftentimes in the wild places that surround Missoula. Now, Jonathan is a master student in UM’s top ranked public administration program. Best of luck to you and that Jonathan, and take care.