Pennsylvania's natural environment has been under extreme duress throughout the past century, especially in areas such as Pittsburgh where industrialization has taken place or in more generalized areas such as the Susquehanna River, which greatly plays a role in the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay. Being raised in one of the many state forests within state, I can truthfully say that the natural beauty of Pennsylvania must be conserved for the sake of all Pennsylvanians and that the beauty of the state has shaped my path in college and my career ambitions. I currently attend The Pennsylvania State University and am majoring in Environmental Resource Management, with minors in Geoscience, Environmental Engineering, and Watershed and Water Resource Management. I plan on furthering my education in the Environmental Engineering - Master of Engineering program at Penn State after obtaining my bachelor’s degree. My primary goal for my career is to use my education to improve the quality of Pennsylvania's water sources as a hydrologist or hydrogeologist through stream restoration, wetland restoration and other environmental services. I grew up on the edge of Rothrock State Forest, just outside of State College, PA and spent much of my time growing up wandering through the forests and streams either hunting, fishing, or being fascinated with the natural environment. This is where I found my true interest in the environment and natural ecosystems, however, it wasn't until I was already enrolled in the civil engineering program my freshman year that I realized that there were careers that could be pursued through Environmental Resource Management. This sold me on switching my major very early in my college career, however I wasn't sure what all I wished to do with the degree quite yet. It wasn't until this fall semester when I was enrolled in a stream restoration class and soil and water management course that I realized that hydrology and hydrogeology might be my calling as a career. As a hydrologist or hydrogeologist, I hope to use my knowledge to improve the quality of groundwater and surface water as well as reshape streams into patterns that are stable and to conserve wetlands that play a major role in naturally improving our water quality. I also hope to aid in projects addressing the Chesapeake Bay and how to properly manage the tributaries that contribute to the bay as well as the control the quality of water entering the bay. Water resources are very important as well as scarce in much of the world, and due to climate change water resources are going to have to be managed closely and efficiently to prevent water shortages and worsening of overall water quality. Additionally, as a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation - Spur Collectors (NWTF) at Penn State as well as the Chesapeake Bay Club, I hope to aid in conserving our natural wildlife into the future by participating in fundraising events and other activities to improve the natural wildlife of Pennsylvania. The NWTF raises money for the conservation of wild turkeys as well as habitat conservation, and I hope to become an active member within Pennsylvania throughout my lifetime to preserve the species as well as a pristine habitat for wild turkeys. In conclusion, the natural environment of Pennsylvania has greatly shaped my college and career path. I hope to share my enthusiasm and knowledge with others so that future generations may experience the natural resources and environment that Pennsylvania has to offer, and hopefully those generations will have a higher quality environment compared to that of which I have experienced.