Why did you choose Unity?

I knew that pursuing a bachelor’s degree would help my future career path. After graduating from a 2-year community college in 2021, I hoped to go to an in-person college but the COVID-19 pandemic was still prevalent. During this time, I started working as a long-term seasonal for a shorebird conservation project and I wanted to keep my foot in the door with this agency. So, I decided that Unity would allow me to work fulltime while still obtaining the education I needed to succeed further in my field.

What made your experience at Unity special?

As a working professional, Unity’s flexibility to its students helped me effectively manage my time day-to-day. I could go to work without having to worry about losing hours because I needed to attend a virtual class or catch a test. I could do my job, spend time with friends and family, go to the gym, and still have plenty of time in my day to complete the required learning materials and assignments. At no point during my experience at Unity did I feel like I had to reduce my hours at work. I could still have real days off.

Where has your career taken you?

I am a Program Coordinator for the New York State Great Lakes Piping Plover Recovery Program for New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. My job is to conserve and restore Piping Plovers along the eastern shore of Lake Ontario. In the winter I am a Winter Raptor Field Survey Technician for Environmental Design & Research (EDR) protecting the threatened Northern Harrier and the endangered Short-eared Owl.

How has your Unity education benefited you in your career?

It allowed me to go from a technician position into a management role. Unity gave me the ability to work full-time to gain valuable experience in the field and create lifelong connections with professionals. I would say my experience would not be as good today if I went to an in-person college that required sitting in a classroom.

What advice would you give to current students?

You need to be actively applying to and working seasonal jobs for the career you want to have 5 years down the road. If you want to work in ornithology, apply to bird jobs and focus your projects at Unity on birds. Do not be afraid of relocating for seasonal jobs because it also allows you to see the world and make connections everywhere across the country. Always get paid for the work you are doing. While some agencies consider education as part of experience, backing up your education with real-world experience is huge.