Chelsea Lopez

Biological Technician - Intern, Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge
Baring PLT, Maine

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

How Chelsea Lopez got involved with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
I worked for USFWS during the Summer of 2011 as a Career Development Intern. During our training at the beginning of the program, YouthGo was discussed and we were encouraged to create a profile. I'm am also a Department of Interior Student Ambassador for the 2011-2012 school year, so creating a profile on YouthGo gives me the opportunity to effectively help students across campus apply for DOI internships and jobs.

Experience
I will never forget trapping ducks during my last week of work. We went out the Grand Lake Stream and set up a huge swim-in duck trap and baited it with corn. Then we left the site for a while so the ducks would be more willing to swim in. When we came back, we closed off the trap and scooped the ducks out with a net. Then we determined the sex and age of each duck, put a band on their leg, and released them.

Chelsea Lopez's accomplishments
As a result of my internship this summer, I have been able to connect with other federal employees since we have some "common ground" now. Everything that I learned about wildlife management this summer helps me understand more of what is discussed in my wildlife classes. I learned more about myself and what I can accomplish, than I ever thought possible.

Chelsea Lopez's next steps
I am still working on my wildlife Management Degree, but I hope to graduate in the Fall of 2013. After I graduate, my main goal is to work for US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Hometown: Nacogdoches, Texas
School: Stephen F. Austin State University
Major: Forest Wildlife Management