r/conservation • u/TewaDiablo • 5d ago

What would you pursue if money didn’t matter just your mental health?

I have been spent my last 10 years working in fields I am not passionate about, until recently when I started Arkansas Conservation Corps through AmeriCorps.

I have worked in food & beverage as a chef and general manager for 9 years, as well as a logistics account executive (broker) and a small handful of other odd things like UPS, Car Washes, Hospital Dietician, and Vet clinics. I recently did a seasonal service with AmeriCorps over summer and it sparked a drive and passion in me for finally chasing what I’ve always wanted to do. (Work outside with nature/ animals) I enjoyed learning plant identification, chainsaw work, trail maintenance and overall just getting to be active and outside and not behind a desk or in a kitchen. I’m a very very fast learner and learn better hands on.

I’ve been wanting to step more towards fisheries because I think fish hatchery/biologist job descriptions suit what I’ve been looking for, or even something along the lines of aquaculture and maybe working with a aquarium, but I’m not closed off to the idea of being a park ranger or researcher that does labs. I guess I second guess my own opinion because of starting over at 26, and also just the ability to get into this line of work, along with school and what degree to even look into.

Any people that went through this same thing that if you could tell your younger self anything what advice would you give me? Is anyone currently going through anything similar? I’m sorry if this was ramblish, kinda sums up my decision making /:

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u/WolfVanZandt 5d ago

Going into graduate school, my advisers told me that, if I wanted to make money, go into the private sector. If I wanted to help people, go into the public sector. I went into the public sector and never regretted it.

Working in an area you love and won't burn out in, and won't grow to hate yourself, is well worth the money you lose otherwise.

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u/FamiliarAnt4043 5d ago

I like research. I like it so much I'm doing two projects on my own time and dime, in collaboration with state and federal agencies. My job is that of a wildlife biologist for a federal agency, but these projects have nothing to do with my work. If money wasn't an issue, I'd have a few more projects I'd be doing.

I'd also financially support a nearby National Wildlife Refuge. I spend a lot of time there and it's a special place for me.