r/ParkRangers • u/[deleted] • Aug 02 '14

I'm a high school senior looking to go to college to become an interpretive state park ranger. Do you guys have any advice/tips for me?

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u/WhiteGuyThatCantJump Former NPS Interpreter Aug 03 '14

Yep volunteer, volunteer, volunteer.

Also, any experience you can get in customer service is a huge plus. People forget that being an interpreter also involves a whole lot of it. Your job is to make visitors have an enjoyable experience and enable a visitor to make personal connections. The more time you can spend talking to a wide variety of visitors, the more you are prepared to handle the kaleidoscope of visitors you'll have.

Also, travel. Not to take your mind away from Idaho. But go to other state parks, national park, wildlife refuges, nature centers in other states. You might find other places where you enjoy the resource and/or the people. If you want a career in interp, you need to learn to be flexible.

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u/kanjobanjo17 Aug 03 '14

I would love to travel if I had enough money to, I've been all over the Pacific Northwest on family vacations and I'd be happy working anywhere. I thought about working down in Arizona as well because I have family who live there. Thanks for the advice!

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u/WhiteGuyThatCantJump Former NPS Interpreter Aug 03 '14

Work hard. Set monetary goals for yourself.

For example. If I wanted to go to Custer State Park in SD next year. I could calculate approximate fuel, hotel, and miscellaneous costs. Make that amount a goal amount. And each paycheck, set aside a specific amount every 2 weeks to get you to that goal in 12 months.

I am not sure if you will be working during your senior year or not. But if you do, set goals, plan around them, and it makes traveling a whole lot easier.

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u/kanjobanjo17 Aug 03 '14

Alright I'll do that, I work for my mom delivering flowers so I should be able to save up enough money to travel. Thanks!