I started my career with the North Dakota USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) as a co-op student in May, 2003.  The summer experiences gave me a good understanding of what a career with the NRCS would be like and helped me prepare for real life experiences.  When I graduated in 2005 I was offered a full time job as an Agricultural Engineer and worked in various locations throughout North Dakota. In June, 2008 I accepted a Civil Engineering position with the NRCS in Conrad, MT. I primarily work on surveying, design, and construction inspection of animal waste systems.

The process starts when a farmer inquires about an animal waste system.  I meet the farmer at the farmstead to perform a preliminary site evaluation, followed by a survey of the farm using GPS survey grade equipment, and a soils investigation. Once the data is collected, I return to the office to complete a preliminary design, using AutoCAD Civil 3D software. A typical design includes pipelines, pumps, a mixing tank, a separator building, a dry stack pad for manure and an earthen waste holding pond. After a design is selected, I complete a full design report, set of construction plans, and construction specifications. Once the design is approved, construction can begin.  I construction stake the site using GPS survey grade equipment or a geodimeter.  As the onsite inspector for the project, I am responsible for checking materials and grades, testing concrete, and keeping a job diary of everything that is occurring.

My job is challenging and diversified. It gives me the opportunity to work in the field as well as in the office. ABEN gave me the background and the fundamentals that I needed to be successful in my career. The curriculum allowed me to tailor my degree to an environmental emphasis. The faculty and staff in the department were very friendly, helpful, and always made me feel welcome. My department mentor gave me guidance on courses to take and would answer all of my questions. I enjoyed my time as a student in the ABEN Department and would highly recommend pursing a degree in ABEN. If you are interested in a career along these lines I suggest some of the following course: soil mechanics, concrete courses, drafting and AutoCAD courses, surveying, and environmental courses.