Wildlife Vocalizations: Kirstin Palumbo 

Growing up, I was always outdoors. Whether it was going on hikes, hunting and fishing with my dad, or just watching the critters in my backyard, I was always entertained by what surrounded me.  

But the moment I knew I wanted to become a wildlife biologist was during my junior year of high school.  

I always loved my general science classes. Unfortunately, my high school did not offer any environmental courses. Back then, the only environmental-related jobs I heard of were game wardens and park rangers. While those options were always in the back of my mind, I knew it wasn’t quite what I was looking for. 

I had a lot going on at the time for a high schooler: Advanced Placement classes, working five days a week and attending daily after-school activities. While I enjoyed all of this, the routine and busyness of it all drove me into a rut. 

That fall, I went hunting with my dad. I remember sitting in the tree stand, watching the sunrise early in the morning, when the feeling of both relief and excitement came over me. The feeling that I had made me realize that my happiness and my passion were rooted in the outdoors.  

I knew that I wanted to be the one to investigate the impacts that actions had on the environment. I wanted to be the one who knew the science behind how different species interacted. I wanted to be the one that was able to better educate people about the wildlife around them.  

That beautiful, serene morning, I realized that whatever path I chose for my future, I had to help the environment that helped pull me out of that rut. 

Wildlife Vocalizations  is a collection of short personal perspectives from people in the field of wildlife sciences.   

Learn more about Wildlife Vocalizations, and read other contributions.  

Submit your story for Wildlife Vocalizations or nominate your peers and colleagues to encourage them to share their story. For questions, please contact tws@wildlife.org.