Want to learn how to become a park ranger? This rewarding career combines law enforcement with scientific study and preservation of the environment.
Park Ranger Requirements
Aspiring park rangers should have at least an Associate's Degree. However, you will be a more desirable job candidate if you have a Bachelor's Degree in one of the following programs: law enforcement, criminal justice or biology.
When you apply to become a park ranger, the process will be similar to other law enforcement application processes. Depending on the area in which you live, you may need to undergo a background check and medical exam. Read up on your state's specific requirements so you know what to expect.
What The Job Entails
You'll be focusing mainly on preservation of the national park in which you work, and many of your duties will have a scientific purpose. You will be asked to monitor the park's air and water quality, and you may also be called upon to help study the wildlife and their patterns to see if any of them belong to an endangered species.
Beyond scientific study, park rangers are asked to find hikers or walkers who might be lost or injured during an excursion. They also patrol the park to enforce park rules and local laws, and they may need to make arrests. On the lighter side, park rangers often give talks to visitors and take groups through guided tours of the parks.
Research
Doing your homework always helps before you decide on your future career path. If you plan on getting your Bachelor's or Associate's Degree, check out which schools in your area offer criminal justice, biology or law enforcement degrees. Certain schools may have concentrations in national park preservation.
You can also do your own practical research. Start by volunteering at your nearest national park. If the job continues to intrigue you, call up your local park ranger, and ask her if you can spend an hour or so talking to her about the job. If she agrees to speak with you, ask what she does on a day-to-day basis and how she became a park ranger. You might even be able to shadow a park ranger and follow her around on a typical day at work.
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