Doing meaningful work to support the Climate Smart Communities program.
What I wish was different
Advice
Be the first to mark this as helpful
Health Director
June 2017 - August 2018 • Livingston Manor, NY
What I liked
Friendly staff, excellent pre-camp training, beautiful and well-maintained campgrounds and wonderful camp philosophy. The directors at the DEC who coordinate the program are flexible and easy to work with. I worked here for three summers (counselor in 2016, Health Director 2017 & 2018) and I can honestly say it was the best job I've ever had.
What I wish was different
Not great cell service at Camp DeBruce, but hey! It's camp!
Advice
If you get the opportunity to work at camp, take it and enjoy (and save the money), you'll miss once you can't go back.
Be the first to mark this as helpful
park ranger
May - October 2019 • Peru, NY
What I liked
Being outdoors
What I wish was different
Better pay
Advice
That this job makes you very well versed
Be the first to mark this as helpful
Volunteer
July - October 2019 • Buffalo, NY
What I liked
I liked networking with people from NYSDEC and other agencies including USACE and USFWS. Everyone was very insightful, and helpful. I also gained a lot of hands-on field experience which allowed me to get a better grasp on conceptual topics discussed in classes.
What I wish was different
I just wish I got to spend more time in the field with them!
Advice
If you're volunteering to gain experience for a future job, sign-up for as many hours as possible. The more hours you have logged in the field the better when you go to apply for jobs, and a lot entry-level positions require a minimum of 3-5 years experience. Also, volunteering can be a way to get your foot in the door, so don't be shy while you do it.
3
${count} people found this helpful
Camp Counselor
June - August 2019 • Saranac Lake, NY
What I liked
The Staff dynamic was great all summer long. every week was a new adventure with different campers, and the food was phenomenal
What I wish was different
Nothing, it was a perfect summer
Advice
Dont be afraid to be yourself, its what will make it as best as it can be
Be the first to mark this as helpful
Conservation Education Counselor
June - August 2019 • Warrensburg, NY
What I liked
The people I worked with all become very close friends, and I was able to spend a lot of time outside and hiking in a way that I typically wouldn't have been able to. I feel very connected to the DEC and they care a lot about their employees, even the silly college students who catch frogs and take students "sasquatch hunting."
What I wish was different
It is challenging being disconnected and unable to plan ahead for the next semester during the summer due to demanding hours and limited off time & phone service, but it was overall refreshing to be disconnected.
Advice
Bring a hammock! You will learn to love sleeping in one!
Be the first to mark this as helpful
GIS intern
May - August 2018 • Stony Brook, NY
What I liked
I got to apply knowledge I learned through my GIS course in college to a real issue. I was mapping wells on Long Island in an effort to identify potential causes of saltwater intrusion and geothermal pollution in well water.
What I wish was different
Advice
Be the first to mark this as helpful
Conservation educator
June - August 2018 • Warrensburg, NY
What I liked
I got to influence children in something Im passionate about and became very close with my coworkers
What I wish was different
I couldn’t get any work done while I was there because of the lack of internet access
Advice
Do it! It’s so fun! You’ll be tired constantly but the work is very rewarding.
Be the first to mark this as helpful
Moffitt’s Beach Park Rec Aide
May - August 2018 • Speculator, NY
What I liked
I liked that the job was outdoors and interactive with customers.
What I wish was different
Advice
Be the first to mark this as helpful
Intern
September - December 2016 • Buffalo, NY
What I liked
Excellent work environment and the project I worked on was interesting. I had a lot of autonomy with how I completed my assignment.
What I wish was different
I worked in the office a lot, but that was my choice. There are opportunities to do more field work.
Advice
Try to diversify the projects you work on. There is opportunity for that, but I ended up spending a lot of time on one big project.
