Education
B.A Environmental Geography and B.A. Geographic Information Science, 2011

Why did you choose to attend UNI? What factors influenced your reason for studying your major?
I started as a business major but took Physical Geography to fulfill a general education credit. After that, I promptly went in and changed my major!

What do you do in your current position?
I am an informal educator that teaches people of all ages about nature, science, and outdoor recreation. I also assist in exhibit design, digital and print marketing, budgeting, and grant writing. I love how my job is always changing. I’m continually learning new things and introducing others to new knowledge and skills.

How did your major help prepare you for your current role? What skills are you still using today?
I still use the mapping portion of my degree when I assist in the creation of locational maps, StoryMaps and other cartographic documents that are needed for grants. I use my Environmental Geography degree every day! Many people in my field have biology or other hard science degrees, but it turns out that my geography degree was the best of all worlds because it specifically taught me science in the context of human interaction. Teaching science without the consideration of how people interact with our natural world isn’t practical in today’s society. Being taught science at a higher level, with this lens, has allowed me to better connect to the thousands of people I have contact with every year.

What is a memorable part of your studies or participation within your major?
I really enjoyed my Political Geography class. It was so fascinating to me! It was a subject that was entirely new. It connected my love of science, history, economics and politics. It was a class that made you really think about your place in this world and your place in history, and that is so relevant to today’s world.

What advice would you give to students currently interested in the same major and/or going into your career field?
Environmental Studies is a large field. Use the time in school to try and narrow down the area that you may be interested in. Take those extra classes and classes that may be a bit out of the main purview of your major. You may just discover that aspect that just “clicks”. I wouldn’t have taken the path I did had it not been for that random general education course that I took my Freshman year!

Is there anything else you would like to add or share?
Black Hawk County Conservation provides programming for adults, kids and families all year long. You can find a list of current programs at blackhawkcounty.iowa.gov/176/Conservation. I am also currently booking for private programs and field trip, which can be done via email at kklus@blackhawkcounty.iowa.gov.