It's been four years since Brian Gaston was an SNR student and in that time frame, he's learned several valuable lessons.
"I applied to many graduate programs, jobs and internships," Gaston said. "You won't be accepted to them all. Nevertheless, if you know a little about what kind of job you like – whether you just enjoy being outside or you want to work with a specific animal – then pursue it with all the energy you have."
During his undergraduate career, Gaston majored in fisheries and wildlife. Some of his favorite SNR classes included mammalogy with Trish Freeman, professor of natural resources and biological sciences; wildlife population with Drew Tyre, associate professor of wildlife population biology; and his senior seminar with Scott Hygnstrom, professor and extension wildlife damage specialist.
"They all enjoyed teaching their courses and would actively try to get the students involved in extra projects outside of class to help fuel their understanding of the topics," Gaston said. "They all cared for their students and would gladly interact with them and help them when they asked. All we ever had to do was ask for help and they'd provide us with the resources to do what was needed."
After graduating from UNL in 2010, Gaston went on to earn his master's degree in biological sciences from Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kan.
While there, Gaston focused his research on Trap-Neuter-Release programs and modeled population size of free-roaming cats to determine whether or not the programs were successfully reducing cat populations.
"After finishing my master's research, I began applying for jobs," Gaston said. "I looked at many different positions that all involved carnivore research. I was lucky enough to have found a job that offered an opportunity to pursue behavioral research on wolves while also allowing me to interact with them daily and get outdoors often."
That job is assistant curator at Wolf Park in Battle Ground, Ind. Wolf Park is a non-profit organization dedicated to behavioral research, education and conservation, with the objective of improving the public's understanding of wolves and the value they provide to the environment.
"I work primarily under the head curator and assist with animal care and research," Gaston said. "I have enjoyed learning the intricacies of captive animal management while also beginning my own research programs."
Gaston said that the most challenging aspect of his job is breaking down the science involved so that the general public can understand it.
"Teaching the public about research and wildlife can be difficult when there are so many people who rarely venture out of the city and have no concept of habitat, wildlife or science," he said.
Despite the challenges, Gaston finds his job fulfilling and credits SNR with setting him up for success in the professional world.
"The courses provided by SNR gave me the foundation for understanding some of the more intricate and advanced coursework I would later need," he said. "SNR gave me a great starting background for my career."
— Mekita Rivas, Natural Resources