Oakblossoms Posted May 4, 2015 Share Posted May 4, 2015 My son is planning to become a Game Warden or maybe a Park Ranger. I was just curious if anyone has a child who has followed that path already. Any suggestions or most important subjects or things you wish you had done in High School? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 Not there yet, but we've gone to the "non-academic careers in herpetology" seminars and spent quite a bit of time talking to state and national park rangers and to the state non-game wardens since we spend a LOT of time working with them. In general, what we're hearing is that it's a competitive field and one that is getting harder to get into. My state is down to three, count them, three non-game wardens for an entire state. The neighboring two states are similar. For the most part, they have masters degrees or beyond-a lot are ABD or were well into their doctoral programs before taking that path. It's also important to be known-be involved in the volunteer programs in your area, wherever you are, so that when you apply, you are a known name. There are more game wardens than non-game, but I imagine it's not much better there. It's an area that cutbacks are just plain happening everywhere in. Since it is largely a field entered now after grad school, the undergraduate degree mostly just needs to get you into grad school-zoology or biology would be the most common paths. Most of the people we've talked to are biologists or ecologists. (Although, again, we're talking to people we've met at herpetology conferences and the like, and you don't generally go into herpetology at the grad level without being a biologist at the undergrad level). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katilac Posted May 6, 2015 Share Posted May 6, 2015 It's also important to be known-be involved in the volunteer programs in your area, wherever you are, so that when you apply, you are a known name. This is what I have heard: chances of getting a job are considerably worse if you aren't 'known.' So I'd say the most important thing to do in high school is volunteer as much as possible. He will meet people, and also get a better idea if he is truly interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalmia Posted May 6, 2015 Share Posted May 6, 2015 The state of Maine has over 100 game wardens. They are fully certified peace officers (police officers) and are law enforcement personnel who carry weapons. The preferred way to become a game warden in Maine is to attend The Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro, Maine. Park Rangers also carry weapons but they are not police officers. They are concerned with visitor safety as well as protecting the natural resources of the park. Park Naturalists are wildlife educators who do not carry weapons. Park Naturalists present educational programs, lead hikes, do trail maintenance, monitor wildlife populations, etc. Here are some links. You should be able to find similar links for your state. http://www.gamewardenedu.org/requirements/ https://www1.maine.gov/ifw/warden_service/note.html http://www.parkrangeredu.org/maine/ http://www.parkrangeredu.org/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.