Hey GWs,
Got a cousin that has been more like a little brother to me. No, not like some of you inbreds are thinking lol. Anyway, He's 16 and thinking about college and starting to decide what he wants to do professionally. Can y'all chime in on what he needs to be doing in preparation for college? Any mentoring programs, summer programs, or "ride alongs" he could get under his belt before making up his mind? Any help would be appreciated. He looks up to me and it would be huge if I could help him out in the least way. Thanks guys.

As a recent (within the last year) Auburn University grad in wildlife science,maybe that college curriculum is the way to go. I got a request to show up for the test back in October, and was told afterwords I was tied in first place for the open position. The only thing I can figure is that the other applicant had a law enforcement background, because I have not heard anything back from the state. I loved what I studied at Auburn, but is looking like I'm going to have to go to Texas to start a career in my field. Thank God I learned a trade while at Auburn. The most folks that I saw working for the state while I was at Auburn had duel degrees. (Forestry and Wildlife Science). Maybe some of the resident GWs on here can help more.

MSU had a degree geared toward conservation officers. It looks like it's a wildlife major with a conservation law enforcement concentration. Wildlife and forestry are in the same building.

[quote=Ray_Coon]As a recent (within the last year) Auburn University grad in wildlife science,maybe that college curriculum is the way to go. I got a request to show up for the test back in October, and was told afterwords I was tied in first place for the open position.

The state basically uses banded scoring so when you get in band I based on the test you may be tied with 50-100 other people. Depending on how many were on the register in band I.
As far as your cousin goes however, any course of study would be acceptable. But as mentioned previously a degree in Wildlife Science would give him a good shot at a CEO job as well as a Biologist job, Both are law enforcement positions. A degree in Criminal Justice would be a good alternative. I have a bachelor in Criminal Justice with a minor in Wildlife Science. I would also recommend doing an internship while in college with Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, which is what I did. Just let him know that if that's what he really wants to do then he needs to be persistent and patient. The job openings don't come along often and there's usually a lot of applicants fighting for 2 or 3 slots state wide. In the meantime he can get his foot in the door by becoming a volunteer Hunter Ed. instructor or something. Once he turns 21 he can start applying for vacancies through the State Personnel website. He must be willing to work anywhere in the state to start. Which a lot of times mean very rural counties that other officers have transferred out of. It took me almost 7 years to get hired on and I had the degree as well as already being law enforcement certified plus two internships. Good luck to your cousin there is no better job out there, however your not going to get rich doing it, but money isn't everything.

Miss. State does have a wildlife law enforcement degree. That would also be a good way to go. I got a wildlife and fisheries degree from state, and when i put in for a game warden position in AL, they told me that I probably would not be considered. Reason is, alabama prefers people with criminal justice degrees and or previous law enforcement or military backgrounds. I know other states this is not the case, but it is in AL. So, an education in criminal justice along with wildlife biology would be good. When I was job hunting after college, it seemed to me that Georgia was the state to work for. They had a better budget for conservation and payed biologists, conservation officers, and techs a lot more than AL, AR, MS. Research that though, as it was 9 years ago.

cdcrosshunt is right..internships and volunteer work will get him far.

I will pass this along. How does he go about getting an hunters Ed. volunteer gig?