Career Roadmap
Mark's work combines: Travel, Environment & Nature, and Upholding a Cause and Belief
See more careers and stories that connect to your interests.
Take Roadmap Quiz
Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Ritenour High School
Bachelor's Degree
Environmental/Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism
University of Missouri-Columbia
Certification
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Certification
Critical Incident Response/Special Police Operations
Bachelor's Degree
Natural Resources/Conservation, General
University of Missouri-Columbia
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Park Naturalists:
High School
Bachelor's Degree: Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies
Bachelor's Degree: Wildlife, Fish and Wildlands Science and Management
Bachelor's Degree: Environmental Science
Vocational: Maritime Law Enforcement
Certification: Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic)
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
I grew up in St. Louis, but I knew I had to get out, so I joined the US Army Infantry.
2.
I spent over 15 months in Mosul Iraq during 2006-2007. Then a 12 month tour 2009-2010 back in Iraq.
3.
While home between tours, I would go backpacking in Gila, New Mexico; I fostered a love of the wild.
4.
Those trips helped me realize that some of my military skills would transfer into my civilian life.
5.
It felt great to be out in the wilderness, to feel alive again and just like I felt in war.
6.
I was in the military for five years, then was medically retired.
7.
When I got out, I went back to college, knowing that I wanted to pursue these wilderness skills.
8.
I now work as a backcountry ranger and simultaneously pursue nature photography as my side hobby.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
You're just one of those "crazy" veterans who can't get past their PTSD.
How I responded:
There's this weird contrast in how the public views vets: one conception is that we're heroes, that we should get patted on the back, that we should automatically get hired, etc. The other is that we're all damaged and suffering, unable to mentally leave the battlefield and deeply affected by our PTSD. Both of these can be damaging, so don't just accept what others are projecting on to you. Find a career or hobby for yourself, where you can be self-sufficient and utilize your unique skills.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
TBI Traumatic Brain Injury made it incredibly hard for me to retain things I learned I college. I had to be dedicated and vigilant in my studies to ensure that I not only passed my classes but became skilled in what I learned.
I was in the Infantry, my body got messed up. Living a healthy lifestyle, physical fitness, and mental health (living stress free) helped me turn my body around and rid myself of the pain.