What do you do on a typical day as a Conservation Police Officer?
Your day is always different, especially depending on the seasons. You do compliance checks, checking fishermen, hunters, boaters... You utilize different vehicles to do enforcement and compliance checks. This may be your squad truck, a boat, an ATV, or a snowmobile. We do a lot of self-initiated activity, as well as responding to calls.
How did you get to where you are since you graduated from Illinois?
After graduating from high school, I looked at the job requirements to be a Conservation Police Officer. I tailored my life decisions to be qualified. To be a CPO, I took a written test, physical fitness tests, psychological tests, went through a thorough background investigation, then went to the Illinois State Police Academy to be an officer, then a second academy to become a CPO.
What is your favorite thing about your job?
I truly enjoy that every day is different, as well as being outside so much. I get to help everything from plants to animals to humans. It is a great feeling to know that we are doing our best to ensure future generations get to enjoy the natural resources.
What was your favorite thing about the ESES major?
There is a wide variety of classes and subjects. I always felt I was gaining valuable knowledge daily. All of the professors were very enthusiastic about what they taught, which made you want to pay attention even more.
What advice do you have for current/prospective ESES majors?
There are more opportunities out there than you think. This is a very important major; learn as much as you can to go out and do the most good.