Meet Jacob Harvey, a senior fisheries and wildlife major at the School of Natural Resources.
Hometown: Holdrege, NE
Major: Fisheries and Wildlife – Habitat Management
Anticipated date of graduation: December 2020
Why did you decide to come to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln?
I came to the University after looking into all the research opportunities and connections to governmental agencies that Nebraska has. There is some form of University extension all around the state and its reputation for effective and meaningful research greatly interested me.
What is your favorite thing about the School of Natural Resources? My favorite thing about SNR is the community. Faculty and staff here have a vested interest in the students. It’s always a highlight of my day when I’m able to have a conversation with my professors and advisors. They genuinely care about us here, and I could not be more thankful for that.
What is your favorite class you have taken so far and why?
Hands down – NRES 438, Grassland Conservation. Although a four-hour class on Friday afternoons can sound less than ideal, I can’t think of a more applied class to my interests. Tell me how many other classes there are where field trips are the norm and lighting fires are part of the curriculum. Smaller class size and engaged learning the whole time. 10/10 would recommend.
What is life like outside of school? In what ways have you gotten involved in the SNR or university communities?
Outside of classes, I’ve reached out to professors for job opportunities. It’s beneficial to understand the importance of research as well as academics while in the field of science. I work for Dr. Chris Chizinski in his Human Dimensions lab and I’ve had some great opportunities come from it. Club-wise, I’ve joined both academic and athletic clubs. The Range Club (shameless plug) is an awesome club where I can get more experience in the field and connect with others within a professional society. For athletic clubs, I joined the Barbell club where I can continue to train and compete with others who do powerlifting, strongman, and weightlifting competitions.
What are your plans post-graduation?
I plan on attending graduate school to do some research in Rangeland Ecology. The vast expanses of the American West hold truly unique ecosystems and plenty of services and products within them. I’d like to stay at a school within the Great Plains or even into the Rocky Mountains. Being able to work with management agencies, outdoor recreationists, and beef cattle producers is my dream job.