The pursuit of happiness for Mark Steingraeber has included working with a wide variety of fish and other aquatic life, in both the laboratory and the field, throughout his career as a fishery biologist. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service photo) - Photo Credit: n/a

Mark Steingraeber discusses his career as a fishery biologist for the Service with 8th grade students at Aquinas Middle School in La Crosse, Wisconsin. (Photo courtesy of: Aquinas Middle School) - Photo Credit: n/a

Origami fish, sporting a message to volunteer for the La Crosse FWCO, were given to students to encourage them to investigate a career as a fishery biologist. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service photo) - Photo Credit: n/a

As U.S. citizens, we believe that “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” are unalienable rights endowed to all of humanity.  But what makes one happy?

For the 8^th grade class at Aquinas Middle School in La Crosse, the continuing search for answers to this question should help guide these students to personally satisfying occupations in the years ahead.  That was the keynote message delivered to 82 students here on March 3 by a human resource expert from a major employer in the community during the school’s annual Career Day.

A career fair followed this address with fifteen occupations represented in 2011.  Students selected from among these to attend four 20-minute presentations given by a local professional employed in that occupation.  This morning program culminated a month-long Guidance Department plan to encourage students to think about career options for their future.

In keeping with the ‘quest for happiness’ theme, La Crosse FWCO fishery biologist Mark Steingraeber participated in this annual event for a seventh consecutive year by describing the educational path and life-journey that began to lead him toward a satisfying natural resource career in service to the nation more than 30 years ago. 

Information on the duties, responsibilities, and requirements of a professional fishery biologist for the Service was likewise described while images of the diverse work performed by Service fishery biologists around the country were projected for display.  The importance of communication, information technology, math, and interpersonal skills was stressed in whatever career a student might select.  Students were also encouraged to closely examine potential career choices by actively participating in job-shadow and volunteer opportunities available to them in high school and college.

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness … in my case, fish… what more could one ask for?