Jordan Veith

What do you do on a day-to-day basis?

My time is split between fieldwork and office work. While I am working in the field, I am usually conducting various site inspections or collecting samples to provide data that is used in environmental decision making. When I am in the office, I am generally writing reports on my field findings to ensure our clients are compliant with applicable environmental regulations.

What was your transition like from being a student to your career position?

The environmental science professors at CMU helped make my transition from student to professional very smooth. I stepped into the office familiar with terms and procedures related to the environmental field, which quickly equated to respect from my colleagues and project opportunities to further develop my skills.

What do you think set you apart from the other applicants for your current position?

The tangible experience related to my career field separated myself from other applicants for my current position. CMU's location is prime for different types of environmental fieldwork. This ranges from participating in a snowpack monitoring study on the Grand Mesa to measuring different stream characteristics of desert ephemeral streams. Being able to experience different such different landscapes in such proximity to CMU helped me to become a more rounded candidate.

What advice would you give to incoming students?

One of the biggest pieces of advice that comes to mind for incoming college students is to begin building your professional network as soon as you can. I like to joke that "it's not about what you know, it's about who you know." Whenever you have the opportunity, push yourself outside of your comfort zone, talk about your goals, experiences and career interests. You never know who might have a connection to your next opportunity.