Alumni Profiles

Jennifer Wolf

Hometown: Bushnell, IL

Graduation Information

Bachelors: 2006, Technical Systems Management

Work Information

Company: USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service
Years Worked: 11 months

How did you obtain your job?

I started working for the Jackson County Soil and Water Conservation District right after college as the resource conservationist. I worked with producers and the community to educate and help address environmental concerns. I provided educational presentations to all ages. Working with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) employees in my county I was able to survey and design conservation practices with assistance. In April of 2006 Illinois NRCS had 3 openings for a soil conservation technician in various parts of the state. This would allow me to further my experiences and design the practices on my own. I decided to apply for all 3 and see where the career took me. It has led me to become the Soil Conservation Technician in Iroquois County. I now conduct the surveys and design the conservation practices along with other contract work required for current farm bill programs.

What do you enjoy most about your position?

My career goal has been, for several years, to work for the NCRS. My first internship was with a soil and water conservation district right out of high school. It was that summer that I discovered what I wanted to do. I enjoy going to work each day not knowing what may come of the day, when a farmer’s gully becomes my concern. After many days between surveying and designing a project and the contractor waiting for the weather to cooperate I am able to see the conservation practice I created be implemented in the field. The most enjoyable part of my job is to know that I am helping to save the soil for generations to come.

What advice can you provide current students seeking a career in this field?

My advice to anyone pursuing a field in conservation is to continue to follow what you believe. I had tried for a couple years to join NRCS, but Illinois NRCS not hiring. I had volunteered at a variety of offices around home and in Champaign County. While I was in those offices I learned more about the agency and became more familiar with the programs. I continued to follow my passion for conservation by finding employment with a soil and water conservation district. Along the way I learned that the career intern program with the Illinois NRCS starts with internships before graduation and I should have looked into the program a lot sooner, but I would not change the opportunities I have had. I suggest making contacts throughout your college years; don’t wait until you are looking for a job. You should always be interested and looking at options.

Achievements

I believe my greatest achievement to date is to have reached a personal and professional goal: to work in the field that I have aspired to since I was in high school. I am pleased that the University of Illinois was able to prepare me for the career that I wanted to pursue.

College of ACES

What was your favorite memory as a student in the College of ACES?

My favorite memory in the College of ACES is my study abroad experience in Germany. I was nervous to leave home for an entire semester. After asking questions about different classes and options I was excited to find a summer program that allowed for a 3 week summer course. This was my greatest experience while in college, next to playing rugby which I was able to do while I was in Germany.

What was your favorite ACES class and why?

My favorite class in the College of ACES was Dr. Hirschi’s TSM 252, Soil and Water Management. This is now my career. I enjoyed it then and I enjoy it now. Our programs with NRCS allow more computer work and less hand calculations, but it is good to know where those numbers come from and what they mean to the equation.

How do you feel the College of ACES prepared you for your future?

The College of ACES allowed me to work with people from different regions within Illinois, across the states and around the world; from the classes in Champaign to the classes in Germany I have learned a lot. The education I received in the College of ACES has prepared me as a professional for a working world and my career in conservation.

What advice would you give current students while a student in the College of ACES?

My advice to current students would be to not let every hour of your day revolve around your classes, but remain focused on the things that are important. I recommend that you become involved with the student organization related to your major and maybe another club or two that spark your interest. I have made lifelong friends and great professional contacts with my involvement in student clubs. My freshman year I had a class assignment to keep track of what we did every hour for one week. I found that to be a very useful tool. After that I created a schedule every week to plan out my set schedule of classes, work, rugby, and other regular events. From there I worked in my study time and social activities, and became much more efficient in time management. I recommend every student to try this; you never know how much it can help you to plan for the future.

University of Illinois

Why did you choose to come to the University of Illinois and College of ACES?

I was born and raised in orange and blue. My uncle, two aunts, and cousin all went to the University of Illinois. My uncle taught in the agriculture engineering department for a few years. I knew I wanted to go to the University of Illinois and that I wanted to be in agriculture. I applied to one college my senior year of high school; the University of Illinois College of ACES. I was accepted and now have my degree.

What is your favorite memory on campus?

I was in a pre-calculus class where I met my roommate Katie. We started studying once a week for quizzes and hanging out. She talked about rugby practice a lot and I started asking questions. I went with her to a practice once and I was hooked. Katie and I became great friends and through rugby I made many more friends, road trips, and memories in the years I played rugby at the University of Illinois.

What activities were you involved in on campus?

My activities began fall semester of my freshman year with general ACES clubs: ASABE, Ag Mechanization Club, Field and Furrow, Soil and Water Conservation Society, and the sort. The spring semester of my freshman year I took up rugby. Sophomore year I began to hold offices in some of the different clubs I was involved in around campus. Finally by junior year I had a good balance and I joined Sigma Alpha-a professional agricultural sorority to add something new to the plate. I became very involved and have some of my closest friends from that experience. Over my 4 years at the University of Illinois I was involved in a variety of activities with each of these organizations. My college experience would not have been complete without the extra-curricular events that helped to balance the life as a student and becoming a professional in my career.