Making the Connection: 2020 QCNR Job Fair

Collaboration is a vital part of the success of the students in Utah State University’s S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources. One of the goals of QCNR is to develop collaborative programs that help students gain hands-on professional work experience to move them forward on their desired career path. Events such as the annual day-long job fair connect students with their future. This year saw even more participation of federal, state and non-government agencies looking to identify QCNR students for both seasonal summer work as well as full-time employment. 

The job fair is held every spring in the QCNR Atrium and continues to grow in participation each time. The fair was held in January and attending agencies included the U.S. Forestry Service (USFS), Logan City, Pacfish/Infish Biological Opinion Monitoring Program (PIBO), Utah Divison of Wildlife Resources (UDWR), Peace Corp, Utah Conservation Corporation, Stokes Nature Center, Americorps Vista, Utah State Parks, USU Sustainability Office and the U.S. National Parks Service. There were also agencies on hand such Idaho Game and Fish to talk with students about specific hiring processes and becoming a conservation officer for the state of Idaho. The college’s dedicated career coach, Paige Geslin from Career Services, was also on hand. 

Shelly Kotynek, director of QCNR Student Services would like to thank all who are making the job fair better and better with each passing year and are helping highlight the college’s summer employment opportunities. 

“The QCNR summer employment program has a significant positive impact on our students’ professional goals,” Kotynek said. “Students are able to gain valuable real-world experience while connecting with agencies and professionals working in their chosen field. These summer positions lead to full-time employment after graduation and help student to scaffold their resumes. We have students who are taking these summer jobs and using them to direct their careers. It is rewarding to see students build on these positions and land their dream job after graduation. It’s why we’re here.”