Lyndsi Hersch
Bachelor of Science, Natural Resource Management ‘15
Environmental Education Specialist, Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet - Division of Compliance Assistance
Lyndsi graduated from SENR in 2015 after majoring in Natural Resource Management. During her undergraduate years, she was involved in campus activities and worked as a seasonal Educational Interpreter at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. She now works as an Environmental Education Specialist for the state of Kentucky’s Energy and Environment Cabinet.
Read the full interview with Lyndsi:
A Glance at Lyndsi’s Current Work
Currently I live in Kentucky and work for the state’s Energy and Environment Cabinet. More specifically, I’m an Environmental Education Specialist with the Division of Compliance Assistance (DCA).
What does a typical day look like?
There is no typical day in my job! I serve four different programs within the DCA, so what I’m doing depends on the program that needs me the most. It can vary from design work, to writing educational material, to creating social media releases, and even videos. Due to the Pandemic, I have been focusing most of my efforts on videos lately. The DCA is responsible for, among many other things, training and certifying waste and drinking water operators throughout the state. Because we can’t hold in-person classes right now, I have been helping to create online training videos that Operators can watch at their leisure, along with other instructional videos for other Divisions. I also helped to organize and run the Governor’s Conference on Energy and the Environment in October.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
How many people I get to reach! Previously, I had worked in one-on-one or small group educational scenarios. While these were amazing, the work I do now reaches a lot more people, via a lot of different forms of media.
Always be looking and willing to expand your skill set. I never thought that my radio experience would be useful in my career field, but here I am!
Professional Development
In college I majored in Natural Resource Management. As an undergraduate, I participated in Theatre and Youth Beat Radio (big shout out to Dr. Kristi Lekies), and was an Ohio Statehouse Tour Guide. I also worked as a seasonal Educational Interpreter at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. There I spent time running public programs, leading tours, and answering questions all over the Zoo.
What did you do post-graduation?
After school I immediately jumped into the career field. I continued to work with YouthBeat Radio, as well as for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. After that, I moved on to Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill in Kentucky and later began work at the Division of Compliance Assistance.
Which experience do you feel was most valuable in your professional development?
I absolutely would not have this job if I hadn’t worked with Dr. Kristi Lekies on Youth Beat radio. It gave me the tools to effectively utilize language in both visual and audible media and taught me how to record and edit audio - which has been especially useful given the number of educational videos the DCA is currently producing.
Navigating the Job Market
What was most important to you in your job search?
A living wage and a job that allows me to use my current skillset while developing new ones! Remember, your degree is expensive, and your skills are valuable; make sure your employer treats you that way!
If you don’t have an advanced degree, do you feel that has been limiting for you?
I really don’t feel as if the lack of an advanced degree has been limiting in the least. While I am currently very happy with my expensive piece of paper, I would consider another one if the opportunity and/or need arose.
Advice for Current Students
Always be looking and willing to expand your skill set. I never thought that my radio experience would be useful in my career field, but here I am!