Honors Presents "After College, What's Next?"

We will assemble to conduct another informal presentation on career opportunities following graduation.  Presenters will share their experiences that led them to different and rewarding careers.  This 75-minute event will be a discussion that will allow students to question the presenters on the challenges and benefits associated with the career paths chosen.  The topics to be addressed at the presentation include: (1) the progress and nature of the presenters’ careers following graduation from college; (2) the opportunities that currently exist for graduates in these fields; (3) how best to prepare for possible employment in these fields; and (4) what is it the presenters wish someone had told them when they were in college?  Please join us for this fun discussion.

Our presenters on February 21, 2020, will be:

Wendy Weaver.  Wendy is the Executive Director of Montana Aquatic Resources Services (MARS), a small non-profit that operates Montana’s statewide in-Lieu Fee Program for wetland and stream compensatory mitigation.  MARS is also trying to protect the Yellowstone River and other river systems across Montana through its Channel Migration Easement Program.  Wendy is a licensed professional civil engineer with over 20 years in land development, water, wastewater infrastructure, water resource design, and aquatic resource conservation.  Wendy is a member of the Montana State University Civil Engineering Advisory Committee, and serves as a Professional Mentor of MSU Engineers Without Borders, working to bring clean water and sanitation to elementary schools in rural Kenya.  She has also worked as a consultant with the Northern Plains Resource Council and the Stillwater Mine on their Good Neighbor Agreement, which was developed between the community and the mine to protect the area’s quality of life, agricultural land, and water.  She strongly believes in protecting and enhancing Montana’s valuable water and riparian resources, and promoting landscape resiliency, and more often than not – can be found on or near water.  Wendy received her BS degree (Civil Engineering, Bio-Resource option) from Montana State University.

Don Alston.  Don is a retired 2-star General having served 34 years on active duty in the United States Air Force, and is currently a private consultant specializing in safety, security, organizational culture, training, education, and leadership.  Don retired from the Air Force in 2012 and his last position was commander of the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile alert force.  He has extensive experience in institutional crisis management and recovery.  In his capacity as the Director of Strategic Communications for Multi-National Force – Iraq, Don met daily with senior Iraqi government officials to help them build capacity to communicate effectively within their government and to the Iraqi people and the region through effective interaction with the local, regional and global media outlets.  Earlier in his career, Don served as a liaison officer between Air Force senior leadership and the US House of Representatives and provided escort to dozens of congressional delegation fact-finding trips around the globe.  Don currently mentors nuclear professional development courses as an Adjunct Professor for the Air Force School of Strategic Studies.  Don received a BS degree from the USAF Academy, an MBA from Golden Gate University, is a graduate from the National Security Management Course, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University, and was a Senior Executives in National and International Security Program Fellow, Harvard University, JFK School of Government.

Jim Brady, Brenda Brady, and Laura Nowlin.  Jim, Brenda, and Laura represent two generations of family members who have owned and managed a cattle ranch in Winnett, Montana.  Father Jim purchased and grew the ranch property and is well respected for his red angus cattle and ranching practices.  Jim has been an active participant in the Petroleum County Commission, BLM Resource Advisory Council, Farm Services Agency, Petroleum County Conservation District, and Montana Stockgrowers.  Jim has transitioned the Brady ranch responsibilities to daughters Brenda and Laura.  Brenda received her BS and MS degrees from the University of Montana.  She is a full-time rancher and serves on the Petroleum County Conservation District Board, Petroleum County Community Center Board of Directors, and Winnett School Beef Board.  Laura received her BA degree from Montana State University and an MA degree from the University of Oregon.  Like her sister, Laura is now fully involved in running the family ranch.  Laura participates in the “grass bank” project with Winnett ACES that supports young people interested in pursuing careers in ranching.

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