Interns from different regions and offices met each other and exchanged stories of the diverse experiences that had brought them all to the same agency. DNR hosts a variety of different interns across divisions each year, allowing them to learn about the responsibilities of those in other positions. Instead of just working at a desk, DNR interns gain exposure to forest roads, bridge engineering, seedling nurseries, and more. The event allowed attendees to gain a better understanding of the agency’s work and what other fields exist in land management.
The desire to move across the country, a lifelong interest in forestry, the start of a career switch, and post-bachelor’s degree panic brought together an array of interns at DNR this year. On July 27, 2023 these interns gathered in Olympia to celebrate National Intern Day and explore the possibilities of their work experiences at DNR. Workplace Culture and Development organized the event and helped interns network, develop their resumes, and solicit wisdom from DNR staff.
After getting to know each other, the interns enjoyed several activities including a resume workshop, a social media briefing, and two panels with DNR staff explaining their roles in the agency, the issues they work on, and advice on seeking jobs in the natural resources sector. The advice from these professionals was tailored for its influential audience.
Some guest speakers focused on concrete professionalism skills. Joseph Flores from Human Resources told the group about the importance of creating a succinct story on their resumes. Having valuable previous experience is important, and he explained the best ways to demonstrate that value to a job recruiter, especially one hiring for state government positions.
Other guest speakers told the interns about what it takes to be good at their job. DNR’s Social Media Managers, Rachel Terlep and Mary Watkins, explained how they use passion and strategy to boost the public’s interaction with the agency. While the link clicks and the ability to create educational memes might not be a part of every attendee’s future natural resource management duties, the brains behind DNR’s popular social media pages demonstrated how to grow in a position.
Past interns also provided their perspective. Garren Andrews, a Natural Resource Specialist in the Forest Practices Division told attendees about his own nerves entering the workforce after college. He was worried about settling down into a career after the freedom of his school years, but he has found that DNR never gets boring. There are always changing projects and new roles to take on, he told the group as the panel nodded along. This was reassuring for many attendees who are just now starting their career paths.
Finally, the interns heard from a leadership panel. One particularly inspiring panelist was Candace Montoya, Uplands Budget Manager, who has built a career at DNR after her own internship. She detailed her path to her current leadership role which included a steep learning curve at every new position. Her story showed the interns how they can develop within the agency, and how a DNR internship can be a career defining opportunity.
The Annual Intern Day event is just one of the many ways that DNR supports its interns. Every staff member involved in the event urged the attendees to reach out and continue to network within the agency. Interns also receive incredible mentorship and hands-on experience in their field.
When interns begin their careers, many feel intimidated and inexperienced. The DNR Intern Event worked to combat these feelings and build stronger professional foundations. Interns left the event more capable of reflecting on how they want their careers to progress, bringing with them lessons the day had taught them.
Find out more about internship opportunities at DNR.
For job postings, visit here.
Story by Zoe Love, communications consultant
Annual Intern and Fellow Network Day 2022
It can be difficult to navigate the world during a pandemic, especially for college students. However, that did not stop nine Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) interns to persevere through the challenging times and move closer to their goals. DNR held their annual Intern and Fellow Network Day virtually on July 28 for a day to connect and learn more about DNR.
The event took place to celebrate National Intern Day, a day created to encourage future leaders. A total of nine interns, based in areas from the PNW to the east coast, attended the event. Interns ranged from communications, forestry, aquatics, engineering, and workplace culture and development. The all-day event began with opening acknowledgements from Chase Rother, a DNR outreach and development specialist, to thank WCD employees who planned the event and to welcome the interns. The day then kicked off with an icebreaker activity for interns to meet one another and to create a comfortable environment. After the opening statements and icebreaker, Eliseo Juarez, DNR director of equity and environmental justice, was the “Brunch and Learn” speaker. Juarez gave a presentation on environmental justice and environmental trauma, explained and how to identify the difference between the two in the workplace.
Next, former DNR interns who are now DNR staff provided current interns professional advice and knowledge about how to make their internship beneficial, and gave them the opportunity to ask questions regarding their careers.
The afternoon concluded with a leadership panel. During this portion of the day, DNR managers shared their story about the path they took to attain their position and also shared advice for going into the workforce.
Advice from the leadership panel included:
• It’s important to not lose sight of your soft skills and continue to develop them, they are just as important to have as the knowledge you’ve gained. Soft skills can be described as communication skills, work ethic, critical thinking, and much more.
• Don’t stress too much about the future. It’s important to be where you are now, and not worry about where you think you are supposed to be.
• You don’t have to be like everyone else.
Staff participants for Intern and Fellow Network Day included: Dale Mix, division manager for engineering and general services; Kristen Ohlson-Kiehn, conservation recreation and transactions manager; Jesse Steele, district manager for Pacific Cascade and Northwest regions; Thomas Gorman, aquatics resource manager; Andra Nordin, property and acquisition specialist; Kayla Swerin, natural resource specialist; Lucky Sisouvong, internal communications and employee engagement specialist; Garren Andrews, natural resource specialist.
Find out more about internship opportunities at DNR.
For job postings, visit here.
Article by Britnie Monaghan, communications intern.
EAR TO THE GROUND WITH DNR & COMMISSIONER FRANZ 