A NOAA Veteran Intern’s Path to a Career in Conservation

NOAA and partners provide opportunities for military veterans to build their skills and work experience while contributing to habitat and fisheries restoration projects along the West Coast.

We partner with several groups to recruit, hire, and support veteran interns, including Mt. Adams Institute . This Washington-based non-profit is dedicated to providing diverse internship opportunities for veterans. Their VetsWork program is an 11-month career development internship program for military veterans interested in the natural resources management, public lands, and environment sector.

David Farrell is one of several VetsWork interns NOAA is hosting in 2024. Below, David shares his story of how he came to the internship, and his experience so far.

A Tale of Two Careers: From Military to Conservation

My story is a tale of two careers. At 19, I enlisted in the U.S. Army during Operation Desert Shield, serving as a Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Warfare Specialist. One of my key assignments was in the South Pacific, where I helped dispose of the U.S. chemical weapons stockpile. It was during this time that I developed a love for the ocean and Hawaii.

After my service, I returned to my home town of San Diego and went to school to pursue a communications degree. During this time, I established a connection with the office of public speaker Tony Robbins, which led to a job offer with his company. This opportunity prompted me to leave school and pursue a career in the personal development industry. I eventually became a personal coach and followed my childhood dream of doing stand-up comedy. I performed for 12 years while continuing to work in personal development and communications in various forms.

After a while, I grew weary of the comedy lifestyle and felt the pull of Hawaii again, so I moved there in 2012. At that time, I returned to school and completed my degree. I also began scuba diving, which allowed me to explore the ocean, where I witnessed the human effects on marine life.

Armed with a passion for protecting our oceans, in 2016 I ran for state office. Although I didn't win, it led to a position in the Hawaii State House of Representatives, focusing on environmental policy. When the pandemic hit, I decided to go to school abroad, earning a Masters degree in Environmental Policy at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador. After completing my degree, I returned to the United States to seek opportunities in policy and environmental protection.

It's Never Too Late to Start

During my job search, I came across the Community Engagement internship with NOAA through the Mt. Adams Institute Vetswork program. This role combined my two previous careers, communications and environmental protection. I just started my internship in June with the Santa Rosa California Restoration Center. I've already had the opportunity to dive into the world of river restoration and hydromorphology. I love being able to engage with the public and our restoration partners to educate and advance the projects funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. It's amazing to see how California's watersheds are transforming and the impact we can have when we work together.

The greatest upside for me in the VetsWork internship is the commitment to career development. I am not fresh into the workforce. I am a mid-career professional following a progression into conservation. The knowledge that I am gaining through this internship is allowing me to develop knowledge quickly. I'm replicating experience I would have gained if I had entered conservation from the beginning.

If I could offer any advice to someone considering this program or any other, it is this: It's never too late to start, and there is always a place for your previous experience in the world of conservation.

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