Finding Identity: How One Conversation With USU Uintah Basin Mentor Changed David Baird's Trajectory

ROOSEVELT, Utah — Prior to enrolling at Utah State University Uintah Basin, David Baird admits he was a bit of a lost wanderer.

Working in construction and helping to provide for a young family, he did not find a sense of gratification he was searching for in his work. Hearing about the wildlife science program at USU Uintah Basin, Baird decided to investigate.

A 2014 graduate from the Quinney College of Natural Resources, Baird found his passion and opportunity at USU Uintah Basin. Meeting with program head Rich Etchberger, he found a spark that has led to a fulfilling career.

“Dr. E convinced me that I was smart enough to get a degree and that the students in his program were guys just like me — who loved the outdoors and wanted to do what they love,” Baird said. “This conversation changed the course of my life.”

That pivotal conversation led Baird to immerse himself in the wildlife science program, where he discovered a newfound appreciation for education. He also had the opportunity to perform undergraduate research, which not only allowed him to earn income but gain valuable experience that looked good on a résumé. He received multiple awards for his research, including the QCNR Undergraduate Researcher of the Year award and the David and Terry Peak Prize Undergraduate Researcher of the Year at the USU Robins Awards. His success also opened up the doors to his first post-graduation job at the Bureau of Land Management.

For a decade, Baird served as a natural resource specialist at BLM, ensuring responsible environmental development of oil and gas facilities on federal lands. In 2024, he transitioned to the Bureau of Reclamation as a project manager, where he now plays a key role in addressing Colorado River drought mitigation efforts.

“I love project management because it requires constant learning, collaboration and efficiency,” he said.

Baird credits much of his success to the things he learned while attending USU Uintah Basin. He believes the school set him up for success.

“Being a graduate of USU Uintah Basin has become part of my identity,” he said. “It bolstered my confidence and gave me all kinds of skills that I still use today. It set me on a trajectory for success in both my personal life and my career.”

In addition to his professional success, Baird has also been an avid public servant. He was elected as a member of the Roosevelt City Council and has served in the position for the past eight years. Baird credits his time at USU for giving him the confidence to run for public office.

No stranger to chaos, Baird and his wife are the parents of eight children. When he first enrolled at USU Uintah Basin, the couple had three children, and by the time he graduated, they had five. Their oldest is enrolled at the USU main campus. Through all of the obstacles he has faced in his career, he’s had the conviction to keep on going — a lesson he learned at USU.

“To truly succeed in life we push through obstacles and keep going,” he said. “Success only comes through hard work, and there aren’t any shortcuts. Succeeding in a degree at USU Uintah Basin taught me that in life, no matter what we are dealing with, rather than making excuses for yourself, just keep going, the best you know how, and in the end, it will work out.”

When prodded to give advice to future Aggies, Baird had a simple response: stay positive; have an attitude of gratitude; don’t compare your weaknesses to others’ strengths; work hard; be kind; and build strong relationships.

Operating campuses in Vernal and Roosevelt for more than 50 years, Utah State University Uintah Basin gives students the personalized attention and small class sizes of a small-town college with the resources of a large university, all in the backdrop of the outdoor oasis that is the Uinta Mountains and Ashley National Forest. With degree options ranging from associate to doctorate degrees and more than 125 programs available, as well as access to the renowned Bingham Research Center, USU Uintah Basin offers programs that help fuel local economies and empower individuals and their communities. Learn more at uintahbasin.usu.edu.