Teaching as a Soil Scientist

I have a great network of NRCS colleagues that will come and help with my classes. It gives students an opportunity to learn from other soil scientists who may have different interpretations of soil properties or soil classification.

Serving through Science

Q: Can you talk about the importance of NRCS, given the current downsizing? I assume it’s doing something that the private sector probably isn't or won’t do. Is that accurate?

A: There’s not really money to be made in soil conservation, that’s why it’s a public good. I’m now a GIS Specialist for USDA. We help provide open access to geospatial data. Without it, some researchers and land managers would be at a loss.

Federal employees are deeply committed to conservation and science. I’ve had a rewarding career and always tell students how to apply for federal jobs. I hope scientists continue to pursue careers in public service—it’s worth it.

Q: What advice do you give students about building a career?

A: My advice is always network, network, network. Go to any networking opportunity that you can. Get all the training you can get. Continue to take advantage of training opportunities to diversify your skill sets. I just took an Esri GIS training course.

You don’t know what opportunities might arise or what challenges you might face. Diversify your skill set. Don't have tunnel vision in your career, because you can’t predict what might happen.

A female Resource Soil Scientist condcuting a wetland delineation.
Allison conducting a wetland delineation when
she worked as a resource soil scientist at NRCS.

A college instructor holding a miniature soil profile in a clear case crouches in the classroom with her students for a group photo. Students in the front row hold soil profile columns. Students standing in the back row hold articles of clothing that have been degraded over time in the soil.
Allison with her 2019 class of soil science students.

I love my soils course and how rewarding it is teaching students. When we're out on a field trip and they see something really cool in the soil, you hear this collective reaction of surprise or amazement to their discovery. That’s so cool, it gives me goosebumps.

We had an alumni picnic, and a former student told me how he’s doing soil descriptions all the time in his job and that he’s so glad he took the class. Just last week, a student emailed that she has a fellowship at the Virginia Aquarium and she's developing lesson plans for 14-to-18-year-olds called Watershed Warriors. She created an entire lesson plan on soil science based on what she learned in class.

I love introducing students to soil science and watching their knowledge and appreciation for it grow. I encourage anyone with an advanced degree in soil science to consider teaching. Reach out to your local community college and ask if it would want to add a soil science class. It fits in with so many natural science disciplines. Or contact your local school district to see if the high school needs someone to offer a lesson on soil science.