Blog

Orientation week is chock full of so much information, it can be hard for field crew members to absorb it all. While learning so much in the classroom is a great way to understand basics and an overall picture of the work required of us, actually being in the field is a great way to learn lessons that can't quite be understood until you gain personal experience. Here are 10 important lessons I learned during my orientation week.

#1: Montana weather is wack
-it cannot decide what it wants to be, from rain to sun to freezing to snow and back to sun, always keep a rain jacket on you

#2: Dry feet = happy feet
-good socks, good boots, dry feet, happy feet

#3: Bears are real
-keep your bear spray on you at all times
-calm bear = be mean
-mean bear = be calm

#4: Keep your food container clean
-every meal is the same dish so unless you want to be tasting day old pesto on your turkey and cheese sandwich, wash your dish

#5: You're gonna get gross, it is okay
-hygiene is IMPORTANT, if not for yourself at least for your crew... please

#6: How to handle people
-you are around the same people every hour of every day, it is stressful and fun all bundled up in a bag of emotions

#7: How to handle yourself
-take the moments at night or in the morning to really listen and check in with yourself and your own needs. Future you will thank you.

#8: What works for someone else may not work for you
-learn what works for you through trial and error. It's a learning experience.

#9: Enjoy the little things
- Be aware of all the silly things going on, people are hilarious

#10: Look up and out
-Montana is beautiful, there is much to see and hear so look around once in a while and see what there is to see. We came here for a reason, why not enjoy the view too!