Orlando Geli Cruz, M.S.
Through the platform of Opportunities Conservation Opportunity (CO), Orlando Geli Cruz, who holds a Master of Science degree, was able to apply for a position as a field technician in Guánica under the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON).
“Initially, I discovered the CO organization through a colleague, Karlyn Grafals Nieves. I was working on a project in a lab at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (UPRM), and then I met her, and at one point she mentioned to me that ‘look, there's this group (CO) that distributes these opportunities in science and biology’ and I gave her the opportunity to do some research. follow on Instagram,” he explained.
Geli Cruz revealed that she was “pitching” abstracts to different companies, and not many were getting it, until she came across Battelle Memorial Institute, the company that manages the NEON program.
“I was working from August until May, because that's when the contract ended. And it has been a very excellent work experience, there were several assignments that one did daily and weekly. There was a search for samples and almost always these were in the Guánica Dry Forest, but then, within there, there were different blocks, with small variations in the ecosystem,” he added.
Geli Cruz admiring the coast
In addition to the work itself, Geli Cruz appreciated the protocols and work ethics that were present during her experience.
“I had to learn a lot about the protocols that circulated all week. Sometimes a Monday might be simple, how to look for something quick in the field and then go back to the lab. Other times, you would start the week with a very intense challenge, there was a lot of variety. On top of that, the work ethic and the people were excellent, there was no one there that I didn't like, it was pretty good,” he said.
After going through this experience, Geli Cruz identified that the physical work appealed to him more than the theoretical. However, at the end of his studies, he is torn between the idea of returning to university to possibly pursue a doctorate or continuing with manual labor opportunities.
“I'm not ruling it out, but it's not in my top on the priority list, I can possibly pursue a degree in an area linked to biology. I recently took a course online The environmental law course, which was very interesting, since I don't know much about the law, I learned about two or three little things. I don't know if I'll go for that angle, but anything I can learn that is related to the environment is useful,” he said.
He then added one of the reasons for his preference with working in conjunction with vegetation.
“I really like to feel that physical connection with the environment, I don't always go out into the forest, but when I do go out, I enjoy it, to be able to breathe differently, to go out into nature, the air and the sounds, you feel it differently. You don't hear so many vehicles,” he said.
Finally, Geli Cruz thanked CO resources for facilitating her contact with NEON.
“I am extremely grateful to have found that position, in part I thank Conservation Opportunity, as it was because of them that I found the opportunity. I probably wouldn't have found it if it wasn't for their Instagram page,” he said.
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If you would like to apply for a job position that has to do with nature, you can do so using Conservation Opportunity's social networks (Facebook, Instagram y Linkedin) and by the Opportunities on the website.