Cody Tingey
Eastern Region Manager, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Nevada Division of State Parks
Ely, NV USA
“You can’t stay in the same place you’re in forever. You’re either moving forward or moving backward.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationCody Tingey
Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
I grew up in Utah doing a lot of outdoor activities, including hiking, hunting, fishing, skiing, and horseback riding.
After graduating high school, I considered majoring in biology because of my love for the outdoors.
I headed down the natural resources path and especially liked botany—I always assumed I would end up in an outdoor career.
I started with the Nevada Division of State Parks as an emergency hire and dropped out of college with three semesters left.
I worked for the State Parks for a few years but eventually wasn’t able to move up any further without a degree, so I made the decision to go back to school to finish my degree.
Southern Utah University didn’t have an outdoor recreation program at the time, so they took my experience and custom-built a program for me based around natural resources and agriculture.
I ended up graduating with a Bachelor of Science in agriculture with an emphasis in natural resources.
I continued to work my way up the ladder within the Nevada State Parks and currently work as the eastern region manager—I manage all of the parks along the eastern side of Nevada.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Certification/License
Category 1 Peace Officer
Nevada Peace Officers Standards Training
Category 1 Peace Officer
Nevada Peace Officers Standards Training
Certification/License
State Parks Leadership School, National Association of State Park Directors & North Carolina State University
State Parks Leadership School, National Association of State Park Directors & North Carolina State University
Career
Eastern Region Manager, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
I organize and manage the overall operation and maintenance of State Parks in the Eastern Region.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Environment & Nature
Non-Profit Organizations
Teaching / Mentoring
Day to Day
In Nevada State Parks, we have many different responsibilities and most days are never the same. In day to day operations, we manage campgrounds, provide visitor services to provide the special "Park Experience" our visitors are looking for, we manage visitor centers, build and maintain trails, maintain facilities, provide safety and security for our visitors, maintain and develop landscapes, protect cultural and natural resources, and interpret all aspects of park resources.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for everyone
Find someone in the field and see if you can go visit them and pick their brain. The insight from someone who already works in the field every day is very valuable.
Recommended Education
My career is not related to what I studied. I'd recommend this path instead:
Certification/License
Nevada Peace Officers Standards Training
Nevada Peace Officers Standards Training
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Peers:
"It will be too difficult to go back and finish your degree."
Challenges I Overcame
Adult Learner
Relocation
Interviewed By
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