Jaden Bjorklund ('19)
How did you end up deciding on an ES major? What were your plans coming into college and how have they evolved since?
Coming into college I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do, but I knew it wanted to be something with the environment. It wasn’t until I took my favorite ES class (175) that I knew I was going down the right path. I love hands on work in the environment, but also getting to learn about a wide range of topics with humans and the environment got me very interested in an Environmental Studies major. I am now majoring in ES and minoring in biology because the hands-on classes got me hooked on learning more about wildlife and land management.
What extra-curricular activities are you involved in on campus?
I am on the Saint John’s football team, a firefighter for the Saint John’s Fire Department, and a student land manager for the OLC.
Please describe your internship experience (past, present, or potential future).
The summer of my Sophomore year and Junior year I worked for the Minnesota Forest Resource Council who works through the MN DNR. I learned a lot about the policy behind forestry and private forest management in Minnesota. I did a lot of traveling and got to meet a lot of different natural resource professionals in Minnesota. This summer I am in the process of getting a job with the US forest service as a Forestry technician or a Biological fish and wildlife technician.
What do you plan on doing with an ES major?
I am not entirely sure what my career plans are with my ES major. I most likely will do some type of grad school and try and land a job with forestry or wildlife management work.
Do you have any advice for current or future environmental studies majors?
Advice I would have for future ES majors is to be open minded and try to learn as much as possible. There is such a wide range of areas within the major and eventually something will grab your attention. Also, get involved and get to know the ES professors because they will lead you towards success.
