开启职业生涯
自然资源学院 Student Prepared to ‘Tackle Almost Anything’
狄龙亚历山大 spent his childhood exploring the juniper woodlands and ponderosa pine forests near his home in northern 新墨西哥. 现在, he graduates with a degree in fire management from the 自然资源学院 at the University of Idaho, building on a fascination that began in his youth in 2000.
那一年, Cerro Grande大火燃烧了43,洛斯阿拉莫斯国家实验室周围的1000英亩森林, 新墨西哥. In 2011, the Las Conchas Fire burned 156,000 acres of the forest near that area. It set the record for the largest wildfire in the state’s history at the time.
是这些事件的规模, 以及灭火反应, 这给亚历山大留下了深刻的印象. Combined with his love for the outdoors, an interest in a career in natural resources was sparked.
Alexander began studying wildlife management at 新墨西哥 State University, 但意识到他的兴趣是火灾管理.
“I was searching for wildfire programs that offered a bachelor’s degree in fire management and quickly stumbled upon the 火灾生态与管理 program at the University of Idaho,他说. “I immediately knew that I had found the right place to pursue my higher education.”
Alexander relocated to Northern Idaho to gain experience in the field while also establishing his residency. He accepted an entry-level wildland firefighting position with the Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association (C-PTPA) in the rugged backcountry of Clearwater County, 总部附近. C-PTPA的使命是快速的, 山火初步安全袭击900余人,他们保护了1000英亩的工业林地. 工作了一年之后, Alexander became an Idaho resident and began courses at U of I and his pursuit of a double major in the 火灾生态与管理 and 林业 programs.
“Because of the past experiences I’d witnessed with fire, I wanted to further understand the ecological role of fire and the management actions that can be effective in restoring the ecological health of the wildlands across North America, 特别是在爱达荷州,”亚历山大说。. “365滚球官网给了我这个机会.”
Alexander became involved in forestry-related clubs and organizations at U of I, including the Student Association for 火灾生态学 (SAFE) and the Society of American 森林ers, which pushed him outside of his comfort zone and allowed him to make connections professionally and socially. Alexander also worked at the U of I Experimental 森林 as the fire program leader and participated in a prescribed burning trip to the Disney Wilderness Preserve near Orlando, 佛罗里达.
The SAFE club has a tradition of taking students to the East Coast during Spring Break to learn about ecologically-based fire management by performing prescribed burning with The Nature Conservancy. Alexander attended in 2019 and helped lead the trip in 2020. 他说，这段经历提高了他的技能.
My University of Idaho education has prepared me to be successful and be able to tackle almost anything.狄龙亚历山大
“It was valuable for me to experience ignition patterns and witness fire behavior in a fuel type that is much different than I am used to working in,他说, adding that becoming involved in clubs and organizations was one of the best decisions he ever made.
When Alexander first arrived at U of I as a prospective student, 希瑟Heward, 外管局教务顾问, 她说她知道他会对这个项目产生影响.
“His willingness to participate in the experiences offered and to take on leadership positions to make those experiences happen has been a tremendous asset,海沃德说. “狄龙把人们聚集在一起，让它变得有趣.”
Alexander has accepted a position as the assistant fire warden with C-PTPA after graduation, 他将在哪里协助火灾和危险管理, administrative duties and supervision of seasonal employees.
“I am excited to begin my career with C-PTPA,”亚历山大说。. “I enjoy the variety of work, including fire suppression and forestry-related tasks. The association has an awesome history and is filled with great people. 这是一个工作的好地方.”
Alexander said his Vandal experience prepared him well for his future career.
“It’s enhanced my skills in professional communication, 与其他专业人士合作, 编写和解释规定的消防计划, computer modeling and mapping and developing a concrete understanding of fire management and forestry practices,他说. “My University of Idaho education has prepared me to be successful and be able to tackle almost anything.”
By Kassandra Tuten，大学传播与市场营销
2020年5月发布
