Where Are They Now? Alumni Highlight: David Olsen
David served on a Field Crew out of Rochester in 2004 and 2005, where he did projects like prescribed burning and rattlesnake habitat restoration. Now he works For the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources as the Parks and Trails – Area 4C Supervisor!
What kind of work did you do when you were in the Corps?
Prescribed fire, and Timber Rattlesnake Habitat Restoration in SE MN State Parks. Plenty of buckthorn removal too!
What kind of work do you do currently?
Manage Public Water Accesses, State Trails, Fishing Piers, and Administer the GIA Snowmobile Program for Area 4C (Blue Earth, Nicollet, Brown, Faribault, Waseca, and LeSueur Counties)
Were there any particularly memorable or challenging experiences during your time in the Corps?
Burning the top of Latsch. We each carried 2 water bags, drip torches, and tools up those 500+ steps.
What was the most personally meaningful part of your experience with Conservation Corps?
Learning how to work as a team of diverse individuals in extreme conditions. Making a difference with our habitat restoration work.
How did the experience shape your career/life?
I met many of my peers that were managing SE Parks during my time. It taught me how to work together effectively to get a job done. It further led me to know this field was for me.
What advice would you offer to a current member serving in Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa?
Talk to your project sponsors. I talked to all of them and was a bit perplexed how few interacted with any DNR staff while I worked in St Paul. Make those connections, jobs in this field are HIGHLY competitive.
What did you do immediately after your time in the Corps?
Paid off some student debt! Went to work seasonally as a Parks Worker/Night Security at Nerstrand Big Woods.
Are there any other experiences or stories you’d like to share?
I don’t regret anything about my service. I had never held a chainsaw prior to CCM and now it’s an extension of my arm.
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