Naturalist guide Jack Newkirk credits experiential learning in helping him launch his career.

For Jack Newkirk, a senior guide at Wanderlust Tours in Bend, Ore., his career choice was a natural one. After all, what better a place to show people the outdoors than Central Oregon? But even more than that, Newkirk has a mission – to teach people to appreciate nature as much as he does. And OSU-Cascades helped him achieve that goal. We recently had the chance to talk with Newkirk about his job and his experience at OSU-Cascades.

What made you decide to become a naturalist guide?

Living in the outdoor recreational capital of the world – it’s something you naturally step into. The reason I decided to become a naturalist guide was that it really affords me the opportunity to share my passion for the outdoors with people. And maybe if I share that passion with them, they’ll take better care of the planet.

How have your experiences at OSU Cascades influenced this decision, or how do they help you in your career?

By far the biggest influence on my present career that I got from the university was my internship, which I was required to do in Australia. I guided for 6.5 months in the rain forests there. It was my first guiding gig ever.  And I wouldn’t have gotten this job with Wanderlust had I not had that experience.

One additional thing to add is that all of the class work we do at the campus is so experientially-based. We’re required to actually get out and do this stuff for a grade. It gets us introduced to the different operators in the area as well as gives us a feel for whether it’s really something we want to do.

What kinds of personalities do you see in Cascades students that make them great at the jobs they get after they graduate from the Tourism and Outdoor Leadership Program?

I think it’s not so much a personality thing as it is a passion thing. The people that go to this school have this deep love affair with Mother Nature. And that is what makes them good at what they do. Of course it doesn’t hurt if you’re a nice outgoing person who can hold a conversation.

What do you think are the program’s biggest strengths, and how do you see it growing and changing in the future?

I think that the greatest strength of the program is that all the classes are experientially based. The students who are in those classes get direct experience even before they hit the job market. I think the way it’s going to be changing is we’ll see a lot more partnerships with local businesses, like the one that Wanderlust has with OSU-Cascades, and that will foster that experiential atmosphere.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Matt Shinderman is probably the smartest person I’ve ever met in my life. He was an amazing instructor. All of my instructors there, particularly in the Forestry department, have been massive role models for me. They blew me out of the water.