Where Are They Now? Alumni Highlight: Zach Pickard
Let’s catch up with Zach Pickard! Karolyn served with CCMI as an AmeriCorps member in 2010, based in Moose Lake. Now he lives in Huntsville, Alabama and works as a military aviator and a volunteer firefighter/EMT.
What kind of work did you do when you were in the Corps?
Hiking and equestrian trail building/maintenance, wildland firefighting, invasive plant species removal, and historical building maintenance.
What did you do immediately after your term with the Corps?
Joined the Army’s bomb squad for 7 years then became an Army pilot for the past 8 years.
Where are you now?
Huntsville, Alabama. Military aviator and a volunteer fire fighter/EMT.
What kind of work do you do?
Primary job is a pilot for Army aircraft. Secondary job is on a research and development team to field new drones for the military.
Were there any particularly memorable or challenging experiences during your time in the Corps?
My first time crossing an international border was falling in the river (and into Canada) while working in Grand Portage National Park, and now I’ve crossed at least 42 other borders.
What was the most personally meaningful part of your experience with Conservation Corps?
Great friendships with people from different walks of life all there for a common goal.
How did the experience shape your career/life?
It has made me appreciate the trail systems we all use when hiking in parks. It also was my first fire fighting experience that I picked up again 15 years later. I also took a 2 week conservation volunteering trip to New Zealand a few years after this doing the exact same tasks- trail building, invasive species removal, and historical building renovation.
How did you use your education award?
School loans
What advice would you give to current members?
Make sure you are enjoying it and not treating it just as a job. It’s an amazing experience plus great for networking and character building during your post college days.
Are you an alum who would like to be featured in a post?