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Tag: Masi Mejia

How to be a Latino Outdoors Trailblazer and Make a Career

Authors: Maria F. “Masi” Mejia and Cynthia Espinosa Marrero

 As Latinos continue to grow demographically, we are reaching new heights not only outdoors but also indoors. In her Study, Taylor (2004), stated that “ethnic minorities are severely underrepresented in the environmental workforce” (p. 4).  This quote can serve as a statement that representation of minorities is needed in the environmental workforce. By acquiring an environmental-related degree, Latinos are becoming part of the environmental movement, workforce and applying their cultural knowledge which is crucial. We, at Latino Outdoors, have been able to turn our experiences in the outdoors into higher education and ultimately careers and so can you! 

Some of us connected to the land at an early age and some of us at a later age, by camping, hiking, hunting, gardening, amongst other recreational activities. These various experiences exposed us to education and career opportunities that are possible in the outdoors. The possibilities are endless! To become a successful outdoor professional from a park ranger to wildlife veterinarian, one must pursue education from a high school diploma to a Doctor in Philosophy. Education should never cease, as it is something that no one can ever take away from you.

Maria F. "Masi" Mejia, pursuing a Master of Science at Texas Tech University in Wildlife, Aquatic, and Wildlands Science and Management.

Maria F. “Masi” Mejia, pursuing a Master of Science at Texas Tech
University in Wildlife, Aquatic, and Wildlands Science and Management.

Cynthia Espinosa Marrero, pursuing a Masters of Science at Antioch University New England in Environmental Studies concentrating in Environmental Education.

Cynthia Espinosa Marrero, pursuing a Masters of Science at Antioch University New England in Environmental Studies concentrating in Environmental Education.

 There are lots of opportunities available to students who are interested in careers in the outdoors.  We have compiled a list to help make any individual interested in pursuing a career in the field of natural resource management and recreation successful:

High School

For individuals entering high school or in their teens, it is important to Get Outside! When you get outside you connect with other outdoor professionals and enthusiasts. During these outdoors experiences, it is at this moment that you should ask as many questions as you can. Asking professionals and outdoor enthusiasts how they got to where they are can show you just how diverse people are. The classes that you engage more in high school will add more knowledge and experience! Don’t forget to take your ACT or SAT during your junior or senior year of high school. These academic placements tests, along with other qualifications are needed to enter a higher education institution to pursue an undergraduate degree in something you love.

Undergraduate Degrees

Undergraduate degrees in this field include environmental education, conservation biology, wildlife management, outdoors recreation, natural resource management, advocacy and social justice, sustainable development…the possibilities are endless! Degrees in other fields can also be applied to this field such as accounting and marketing, as they are essential to environmental organizations and agencies. Generally speaking, there are two types of undergraduate degrees. A Bachelors of Arts is a degree that focuses more on liberal arts classes related to the career field. A Bachelors of Science is a degree that focuses more scientific classes related to the career field. Both types of degrees are extremely valuable to natural resource management and recreation. You might want to ask yourself what job you envision yourself doing. A bachelor of science might be more valuable if you want to become a wildlife biologist. A bachelor of arts might be more valuable if you want to become involved in advocacy and social justice.

Graduate Degrees

The thirst for knowledge should never end. As an individual you should always continue to learn whether it is informally or formally. Graduate degrees in this field include Masters of Arts, Masters of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy. The differences in masters of arts and masters of science is similar to above. Typically a Master’s degree takes about 2-3 years to complete. An individual takes classes while working on research related to the field of natural resource management and recreation. A Doctor of Philosophy degree is next degree to pursue in higher education. A doctoral degree can take about 3-5 years to complete depending on the research.

A degree in higher education regardless of bachelors, masters, or doctor of philosophy means greater career opportunities in the environmental field!

As Latinos we should strive not only to pursue higher education, but to pursue higher education in career fields we love. For those of us who were able to connect the outdoors to a career we love, we are leaders of tomorrow.


Be sure to reach out to reach out to either of the authors listed above or your regional Latino Outdoors Ambassador to find out how your love of the outdoors can lead to a career!

 

References:

Taylor, D. (2004). Diversity and the Environment: Myth-Making and the Status of Minorities in the Field. Equity and the Environment. Research and Social Problems and Public Policy, Volume 15. pp. 89-147.

 

From Texas to The Tetons

por M. F. Mejia

In the summer of 2014, I was selected to participate in the Rising Land Ethic Leader Program hosted through the Aldo Leopold Foundation and The Murie Center.

It was an amazing opportunity as my family and I journeyed from my hometown of Laredo, Texas to The Murie Center in Moose, Wyoming.  I attended the 31st program hosted by the Aldo Leopold Foundation. Like many new adventures, I was a little intimated to make the drive to an unknown area to myself. Wyoming is the farthest north I have ever been. Luckily, according to the locals, we went during the hottest part of the summer, with nights reaching about 40°F (still pretty chilly for a south Texas native like me).

Mejia Birthday Teton by C.Sandoval
Mejia Birthday. Photo by C. Sandoval

“Like many new adventures, I was a little intimated to make the drive to an unknown area to myself.”

M. F. Mejia

At the Rising Land Ethic Leader Program, I learned more about Aldo Leopold, Estelle Leopold, Luna Leopold, Olaus Murie, and Mardy Murie. It was an experience to learn more about these individuals and their contributions to conservation, The Wilderness Act, and their literary and art works.  Being a woman, I was most fascinated to learn about Estelle and Mardy and how their efforts contributed to conservation.  I was even more curious to learn about the dynamics between Estella and Aldo Leopold, as I learned their love story. Her family was originally from Mexico, but were prominent ranchers in New Mexico. Aldo had met Estella while he was stationed in the Gila Wilderness, where he began his work as a conservationist. I learned so much about the people I admired, and was amazed to have such a connection with each individual.  In writing this, I tried to describe the connection I felt with Aldo, Estella, their children, Olaus and Maurdy but perhaps that connection can only be felt through the land, any land.

I grew not only as a professional but on a personal level as we defined, discussed, and sought ways to implement Aldo Leopold’s evolving land ethic in our communities.  I made some amazing friends in different organizations throughout the country and gained the skills and tools needed to successfully carry on environmental and conservation work. Although I am trained as a wildlife professional, the skills gained through this program are necessary to understand an evolving public to better manage natural resources.

Mejia Teton by C. Sandoval
Mejia in the Tetons. Photo by C. Sandoval

“I thought of how the land ethic could be implemented not only in my community, but also how it would evolve to fit the future”.

M. F. Mejia

Upon my reflection of attending this amazing program, I thought of how the land ethic could be implemented not only in my community, but also how it would evolve to fit the future. I happened to run across “The State of Diversity in Environmental Organizations: Mainstream NGOs, Foundations & Government Agencies” by Dorceta E. Taylor, Ph.D., where I was surprised to learn about Robert Stanton. Robert Stanton was the first African American who served as Director of the National Park Service from 1997-2001.  His career in the park service started in the summer of 1962, where he traveled from Texas to the Tetons, just as I had. I felt the blog title, fitting for my experience and newly acquired knowledge of Robert Stanton. I hope that as conservationists, we take into the account our nation’s changing demographics in our evolving land ethic, so that we manage and conserve not only for natural resources but the cultural resources that come with using our natural resources.

I am grateful to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife National Conservation Training Center, Ralph K. Morris Foundation and The Association of Natural Resource Scientists for funding me to attend this professional development opportunity and encourage others to attend the Rising Land Ethnic Leader Program the Aldo Leopold Foundation.

This post was originally posted on the A Day in the Life of Masi. Maria Masi Mejia is a Latino Outdoors Outings Specialist and Ambassador in Lubbock, Texas. You can reach her at mmejia@latinooutdoors.org.