Jacob Suter
Backcountry Volunteer Coordinator
National Parks Service—Canyonlands National Park
National Parks Service—Canyonlands National Park
Backcountry Volunteer Coordinator
I'm a whitewater river ranger who patrols some of the gnarliest rapids in the lower 48 states.
I can envision three kinds of perfect days: one would be a search and rescue incident where we get to retrieve someone and bring them back to their family and loved ones. Being able to help people in their greatest times of need and seeing their happiness at being saved from dangerous situations is truly rewarding. Another perfect day is when I get to explore the park—being alone in nature with your thoughts is one of the most healing experiences you can have. The third is a day spent rafting.
Here's the first step for high school students
For me, the most important first step was joining the military. If you want to work for a federal agency like the Parks Service, military service gives you a really good shot at getting jobs in those realms. Being in the military also teaches you how to suffer outside, how to be on your own, how to start at the bottom of a totem pole and work your way up, etc., and those are all skills that you need in this job. The military is a great way to come into your own before having to choose a career.
"Why did you enlist? What would you do that for?"