Cameron Yeakle ’19

Environmental Science

Biography

I am an aquatic biologist for the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). My principal job is assessing fish communities as a metric to evaluate the water quality of rivers, streams, and lakes. Because fish live their entire lives in water, their presence in streams is an indicator of the water quality in a stream, good or bad. My interest in fisheries began when I was a high school student. My first opportunity to pursue this vocation started as an intern working under a fisheries biologist in Muncie. I began with IDEM soon after I graduated in 2019, working as an intern. During the summer, I worked all over the state, experiencing new places, many species of fish, and many entertaining stories. My goal was to work myself into a full-time position. Unfortunately, at the end of the internship, no full time opportunities were available in IDEM. I took a position as a groundwater scientist at Creek Run Environmental. After a short period, a job opportunity presented itself at IDEM. I began work in January of 2020.

What were some of your most valuable experiences at Taylor?

My most valued experiences have to be the time spent with the environmental science classmates. One of the great things about the department is its size. Although I did not have a large group of classmates, the connections and friendships that I made with them were invaluable. I spent a lot of time with the group, putting our minds together to understand the most recent lab assignment, project, or oncoming test or quiz. One thing we all had in common was the passion to restore and retain the natural beauty of the world and how it determines the overall health of humankind. I miss the ENS groups of '18, '19, and '20 the most. We became more than classmates, and more like a family. I also value all the lab and field experiences. There was no lab or field experience that I received at Taylor that has not aided me in my field sampling knowledge today. The labs were invaluable to me. Shout out to the Vertebrate Natural History class for turning me into an avid birder. The Black Hills Field Natural History course is another experience I wish I could repeat and pay closer attention to the intrinsic moments of that trip. The group I was with and the adventures we had were some of the most memorable ones of my college career.

How did your classes or interactions with professors at Taylor impact your growth?

I was not prepared for the academic difficulty that I was going to face with the environmental science curriculum. To this day, I wish I could redo my entire sophomore year of courses. This coursework contained some of the most valuable material that I actively use on the daily in my current role with IDEM. The professors challenge you to be the best future scientist you can be. They also challenge you to be the best individual as well. All of the professors make certain that you understand the major concepts of the material and do not leave you behind to meet a deadline. Because of this, I am a better field scientist today.

How can Taylor graduates use their unique Taylor education and its liberal arts foundational core as an asset in your discipline?

At Taylor, you have an opportunity to enroll in a field of study that is often heavily politicized and critiqued by many, including the Church. You are given the opportunity to integrate your field of study with Christianity and make sense of the biblical importance that nature plays in our role as Christians and Creation. A liberal arts background guides you. You become more thoughtfully in tune with biblical literature. In addition, you are encouraged to think more deeply about scripture, and about the natural world.

What advice or encouragement could you provide for Taylor students in your vocational discipline?

As my introduction bio indicates, I went through a nonlinear journey to get to where I am today. I did not even mention how many jobs I applied to after my internship. I know numerous things now that I wished I knew then. 1. Get experience in the form of internships, intermittent positions, etc. My biggest deficiency from the perspective of employers was lack of experience. A practicum is required as part of the environmental science curriculum. Do not make that your only experience. If possible, get an internship after your freshman year and every year afterwards. Not only is it going to benefit your resume, it will give you a wider variety of experiences that will help you get into more opportunities and give you significant professional connections. I believe that I would not have gotten into IDEM without the recommendation from my first intern supervisor. I did not work in an internship of any sort until the summer before my senior year. 2. Start applying for full time positions early. Start as early as the fall of your senior year. You probably will not secure the job you applied for in August, but you will get the experience of filling out a job application. You might not be hired, but companies will keep an eye out for your name for future positions. Treat job searching like a class. 3. Talk to your professors and advisors about post-graduation plans, professional connections, etc. They want you to succeed. They will help you figure out whether your next step is a master’s degree, job opportunity, or anything else. 4. Make professional connections. It can be awkward and daunting at times. Professionals know how tough it is to get into an environmental vocation, and they want to help you to establish those connections. Whether you connect through LinkedIn, in person meetings, etc., do not be afraid to reach out. You never know who you might connect with that would give you a word of recommendation. 5. Most importantly, have fun with this major and the journey to your preferred profession. It may not be an easy journey, but this field is incredibly rewarding. You will view your profession not as a job, but as a calling.