Jacob Suter
Backcountry Volunteer Coordinator
National Parks Service—Canyonlands National Park
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
My military service in the Marine Corps really made me what I am today.
I'd advise just about anyone to serve so they can learn these valuable life skills without the debt.
After getting out, I knew that I wanted to work as a park ranger.
I took a job at Mammoth Caves in Kentucky, mostly because they were the first people to hire me.
After that job, I realized you could actually get a degree in outdoor recreation / tourism—who knew?
I got my bachelor's degree from Western Illinois University in exactly that.
I took a job with the National Parks Service working in Canyonlands National Park in Utah.
Education
High School
Career
Backcountry Volunteer Coordinator
I'm a whitewater river ranger who patrols some of the gnarliest rapids in the lower 48 states.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Environment & Nature
Government
Helping People
Day to Day
I can envision three kinds of perfect days: one would be a search and rescue incident where we get to retrieve someone and bring them back to their family and loved ones. Being able to help people in their greatest times of need and seeing their happiness at being saved from dangerous situations is truly rewarding. Another perfect day is when I get to explore the park—being alone in nature with your thoughts is one of the most healing experiences you can have. The third is a day spent rafting.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for high school students
For me, the most important first step was joining the military. If you want to work for a federal agency like the Parks Service, military service gives you a really good shot at getting jobs in those realms. Being in the military also teaches you how to suffer outside, how to be on your own, how to start at the bottom of a totem pole and work your way up, etc., and those are all skills that you need in this job. The military is a great way to come into your own before having to choose a career.
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Society in General:
"Why did you enlist? What would you do that for?"
