In 2020 Jennifer decided to change carreer path and return to school to focus on conservation and land management. On her new journey she has already worked with Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, interned with the City of Oakland’s Environmental Stewardship Department, and volunteered for the National Park Service at Point Reyes National Seashore.

What are you hoping to gain from the conference?

Having never attended a conference such as this one, I am so excited to meet others (virtually) who are brand new to this job sector, like me, as well as those who are experts in their field and bring years of experience with them.

Which program topics or sessions are you most looking forward to?

As someone who enjoys learning more about ecological systems, I’m looking forward to the sessions geared around these topics, specifically how to regain the balance that was lost due to human intervention. I also have a fascination with bats and the part they play in our local ecology, so I’m very excited to attend those sessions.

What else does 2022 have in store for you?

In 2023 I hope to secure my first permanent job working in conservation. Like many others, the pandemic had the unexpected effect of shifting my priorities, and in 2020 I decided to leave the field I was in and return to school so that I could instead focus on conservation and land management. Since that time, I have done seasonal work with Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, interned with the City of Oakland’s Environmental Stewardship Department, and volunteered for the National Park Service at Point Reyes National Seashore. Each experience brought something new and expanded not only my knowledge but also my passion for the good work that still needs to be done.