By John Robert Morton, Student & Alumni Affairs Liaison, and Kelli Applegate, AMU Graduate
Earth is the one thing that all humans have in common. Regardless of where you are in the world, our planet is the one thing that we must learn to share, and Earth Day on April 22 serves as a reminder to use to care for and appreciate the Earth.
Kelli Applegate is an American Military University (AMU) alumna working in the environmental science field. In North Carolina, she dedicates her time toward improving our planet for future generations.
Developing an Early Appreciation for Mother Nature
As a child, Kelli Applegate was always outside playing, riding bikes and going to the beach. Growing up in Pine Barrens in coastal New Jersey, Kelli had access to beach areas, and that interest eventually led to her career with the Croatan National Forest Reserve in North Carolina.
Kelli says, “I should have known then that my career would be in the environment!” For Kelli, enjoying the great outdoors went from a hobby to a passion with her career.
Building an Educational Foundation
Kelli started her education with two bachelor’s degrees in anthropology and sociology from Rutgers University in Newark. Once she completed both degrees, Kelli realized that she wanted to pursue a degree in environmental science.
Kelli took advantage of the University’s transfer credit policies and completed a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from AMU. For her graduate programs, she completed a master of science in environmental policy from Kaplan University and a master of science in wildlife and fisheries biology from Clemson University. With five degrees on her resume, Kelli had the educational foundation to seek a career where she could follow her passion for working in nature.
Taking Courses at the University
Kelli says that the University’s great professors and classes helped her environmental science education to move forward. She notes, “The online environmental science program has relevant, credible courses, which allowed me to advance my education.
“Also, the instructors care and are engaging, despite the online setting. Most importantly, I was still able to have a full-time job and a social life while balancing my coursework.”
Pursuing an Environmental Career
With her education behind her, Kelli accepted an internship with Santee National Wildlife Refuge in South Carolina. She surrounded herself with professionals who could help her with fulfilling her career goals.
After the internship, Kelli applied for jobs. Her advice for others in search of natural science field jobs is “Apply, apply, apply. You can always turn a job down, but you can’t get a job you didn’t apply to. Put yourself out there. Ask questions. And without being untruthful, brag on yourself a bit. You’re the best person to talk about your own experiences.”
Related link: Panel Interviews: How to Ensure You Are Properly Prepared
Navigating a Natural Science Career
Kelli is currently a wildlife biologist in the Croatan National Forest Reserve, located on the Atlantic coast of North Carolina. She is part of an interdisciplinary team that focuses on the restoration of recreational sites that have been damaged by natural disasters.
Kelli has one goal while working with nature. She says, “The legacy I’d like to leave is simple: to leave the forest better than it was before Hurricane Florence.” To Kelli, this work involves providing the public with better opportunities for recreational activities while still protecting the threatened, endangered and locally rare species that are in the Croatan National Forest Reserve.
Advice for Future Wildlife Biologists
Knowing where you want to go and what is needed to obtain that position is always important. Kelli also knew that practical experience would be needed to pair with her education. Kelli suggests that people interested in a natural science career get that practical experience through volunteering, internships, or other opportunities that arise to build their resumes and acquire necessary job skills.
Related link: Serving as a Volunteer Helps You to Build Useful Career Skills
Enjoying Nature Whenever Possible
While Kelli’s current job occupies most of her time, she still loves to get out into nature. She enjoys hiking through the beautiful scenery of North Carolina, playing disc golf and listening to live music.
Kelli is grateful to be able to contribute to the preservation of the area where she lives, and nothing makes her happier than enjoying the stunning estuaries of the North Carolina coast. Whether she’s fishing or kayaking, Kelli is always reminded how her dedication and hard work is having a huge impact on the areas she loves the most.
Keep up the good work, Kelli! Our next generations and Mother Nature will really appreciate it.
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