Intro forestry class was an eye opener...
Managing natural resources involves educating and influencing people, too.

Darren Marsh (right) reviews with Will Mann the layout of the Vallarta-Ast Disc Golf Course at Token Creek Park.

Darren Marsh (B.S. 1987) says that he believes his most profound UW-Madison experience occurred during his Forestry 100 class. "It was during this class that I realized that resource management was about educating and influencing people's actions. Before that time I thought natural resource management was one-dimensional, just the resource," says Darren.

Today Darren is immersed in people and natural resource management in his position as Director for the Parks Division of Dane County Land and Water Resource Department. He is responsible for the operation of the entire Dane County park system, which includes roughly 10,000 acres of land, 36 parks, 9 resource management areas, the Lussier Family Heritage Center, and the Tenney Lock and Spillway Facility. "I feel very fortunate to be in a position that allows me to influence the delivery of quality services, manage and restore natural resources, and provide input on future park and resource needs for the citizens of Dane County," says Darren. He adds that his dedicated and hard-working co-workers are what make his job so enjoyable.

Darren suggests students begin building their resumes with job experiences as soon as possible. "Most if not all life experiences build towards a career. I believe your career truly needs to be a pursuit that you enjoy and develop as a natural progression. Don't give in to a 'convenient' higher paying job unrelated to your career development," he suggests. Ideally, you should leave college with a degree and work experience to complement that degree.

Networking with other students via campus organizations, such as the Forestry Club, and with professionals in the field through organizations such as the Society of American Foresters and the Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association also provide conduits to job opportunities, references, and enjoyable social activities. You'll know you are on the right track when you find college challenging but also fun.