I assist in the collection of data for the Illinois Natural History Survey's Long Term Resource Monitoring Program (LTRMP) and Long Term Electrofishing (LTEF) Program. This includes working with various nets (hoop nets, fyke nets and mini fyke nets), trawling, electrofishing and the collection of zooplankton and water quality data. I plan and present various demonstrations at outreach and education events to educate the public about the Illinois River and the organisms that live there. During the winter months my duties include lab work and data entry in Microsoft Excel and Access databases. I have also gained experience organizing and cataloging historical data.

I was a GLOBE (Growing Leaders On Behalf of the Environment) Intern at The Nature Conservancy's Emiquon Preserve in Lewistown, IL. My job inlcuded exotic species removal, bird surveying, fish monitoring, aquatic vegetation monitoring, public outreach and other tasks that needed completion. One specific part of my job was completing visitor use surveys at the recently added public use area at the preserve. I also worked closely with high school LEAF (Leaders in Environmental Action for the Future) interns for the month they were working with The Conservancy.

I was chosen by my professor to help teach Geology 102 lab. I was responsible for helping students read and interpret maps, identify samples of rocks and minerals, and I also helped proctor exams.

I was in charge of balancing the register at opening and closing times. I was also responsible for the work of up to ten other employees. On some occasions it was also my job to instruct and train new employees.