Lessons Learned Along the Way
Learning Without a Map is a collection of reflections on returning to higher education later in life, navigating nontraditional STEM education, internships, fieldwork, setbacks, mentorship, and the unexpected opportunities that shaped my path through geology, GIS, and environmental research.
The SCA and AmeriCorps: The Internship That Changed My Career
Part 2 of the SCA and AmeriCorps Internship Series Why the SCA and Americorps Matter The SCA and AmeriCorps (Student Conservation Association) are more than volunteer organizations. Each internship contributes to preserving our natural resources, historic sites, ecosystems, wildlife, and marine environments. Federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, and graduate advisors recognize the value of this experience…
GIS Is Becoming a Standard Expectation
GIS is becoming a standard expectation across the geosciences. Over the past few decades, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have evolved from a specialized technical skill into one of the most valuable tools available to geoscientists. What was once considered an advantage on a résumé is increasingly becoming a baseline expectation for graduates entering the workforce.…
Is a Geology Degree Worth It in 2026?
So much has changed in the past few years. Higher education has become more expensive, the job market continues to evolve, and artificial intelligence is reshaping industries at a pace few could have predicted. It’s understandable that prospective students are asking a simple but important question: Is a geology degree still worth the investment? Is…
Why I Take Photographs in the Field
Curiosity and Exploration Why I take photographs in the field started as curiosity; I would always explore areas, even as a kid. I loved traveling and seeing new areas. But I wasn’t being a tourist; I was learning about the area. Why is it different? What has shaped the area? I would go out of…
How Nontraditional STEM Students Can Find Funding
The Financial Reality of Returning to STEM Tuition at colleges and universities has increased dramatically over the past few decades for STEM students. As funding for public education shifts and younger generations continue to face rising costs, higher education becomes increasingly difficult to access for people of all ages. For returning adult students, the challenge…
The Unknown: STEM? It’s About Being There
I was invited to an IVY Tech Community College- Lake County STEM Club meeting, where I presented “The Unknown”. The objective was to do an outreach/ informational presentation focused on internships, research, and pathways into science through hands-on experience. This presentation explored the role of uncertainty, field experience, and learning through action in STEM. Rather…
The Hidden Challenges Facing Non-Traditional STEM Students
Oftentimes, the non-traditional STEM students isn’t part of the conversation. The world has changed, and how we think about college students needs to change with it. When many people picture a college student, they imagine someone in their late teens or early twenties moving between classrooms, studying late into the night, and slowly figuring out…
How Internships Open Doors I Never Expected
Part 1 of the SCA and AmeriCorps internship series I was 43 years old when I found out how internships open doors, Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge gave me that opportunity through the SCA and AmeriCorps internship program. At the time, I was still trying to understand where I fit within science, conservation, and…
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