Intro to the World of Natural Resources

     Setting your own hours, working out in the sunshine, and helping to support the world; three items that can all be connected with one field of work, ranching. Being a student studying natural resources has given me the opportunity to learn about the wonderful outdoors, and how to manage my own business as a rancher.
     Ranching is one of the most unappreciated careers for how much of an effect it has on the world. Although the hours are not set, most ranchers will wake up just as the sun is rising and won't quit until the sun sets. An average day will consist of feeding animals, analyzing and managing range lands, and keeping records and finances. It is a multiple skilled trade with natural resources being only a small portion of the work. No matter how much work there is to be done one thing is certain: at the end of the day a rancher plays a significant role in all human life. It is rewarding to know that the food you raise will help to sustain life, and being an advocate will help to raise awareness for those that do not know about life outside a city.
     I will not claim to know everything about this career. But I have gained years of experience from my family ranch. I have also attend college, and plan on receiving my degree in the field. It is from experience and study that I have acquired a significant amount of knowledge to be shared.
     So other than ranching, why choose a career in natural resources? There are many reasons. If you like to play in soil and wonder why plants wither then it would be a great study area. If you want to track endangered animals or work at a national park, same thing. There are many jobs working for the BLM, NDOW, USDA, and the mines. Any company that requires land or interrupts animal habitats deals with natural resources. The options are unlimited. And the best part is the greatest skill required to get into the field, other than a college degree in many cases, is a passion for the outdoors. It takes an outdoor view to be in the field of natural resources.