It isn’t every day that a résumé includes the words “worked in a bison management office.” But Randolph-Macon College student Jamie Langbein ’17 is anything but typical. The Brookville, Maryland native has a keen interest in ungulates—bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, pronghorn antelope. She is also a dedicated researcher, and for the past several years has spent much of her time studying ungulates and documenting their behavior.

Tracking and Surveying
Two summers ago, Langbein, an environmental studies major and communication studies and biology minor, worked for the Bison Management office at Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park. During January Term (J-term) 2017, Langbein returned to Yellowstone—this time to do an internship. RMC’s popular J-term provides students with an opportunity to immerse themselves in another culture, embark on an internship, conduct groundbreaking research or explore other areas of study on campus. This year, 1316 students participated in J-term, including internships, study-abroad, and on-campus courses.

Langbein tracked ungulates throughout the Gardiner Basin that sits at the North of Yellowstone. Riding around the park with other members of the Bison crew, the group did surveys, using binoculars and a spotting scope as they tried to identify and count as many animals as possible. They also used radio-collar data to find bison or elk “feeding craters” and to get fecal samples that were then analyzed for grass composition and content.

“We tried to figure out what bison and elk are eating during the winter, and what nutrients the feed contains,” explains Langbein. “I also ground some of the grass collected from the Bison Management’s summer grass ecosystem study and did data entry with the information we collected.”

Langbein interned under the supervision of Wildlife Biologist Chris Geremia and Head Bison Biologist Rick Wallen.

“Jamie was at her best when it is 15 below zero, snowing, and she was skiing to collect field data,” says Geremia. “Her dedication helped us determine how bison influence the foods and areas used by other grazing animals in Yellowstone. There are few places where bison coexist with grazing animals in North America and her work will help us describe the functioning of bison-dominated ecosystems. Internships are a great way to introduce students to fieldwork in wildlife biology, while providing agencies with enthusiastic and competent team members.”

Hands-on Experience
Langbein counts her internship as one of the most valuable experiences she’s had as a college student.

“Not only was I able to have a ‘test-run’ for the type of work I want to do, but I also received invaluable advice from the people I worked with,” she says. “It was great to spend time with intelligent, interesting people. Through picking their brains and learning about their career paths I gained valuable insights into some possibilities for my own future, and their encouragement is such a blessing to me.”

Mentorship
During her internship, Langbein was mentored by RMC Environmental Studies and Geology Professor Michael Fenster, the Stephen H. Watts Professor of Science. Although she worked nine-hour days at Yellowstone, Langbein made time at the end of most days to email Fenster to keep him apprised of her internship progress. She also kept a daily journal.

Fenster says, “It was personally and professionally rewarding to see a student of Jamie’s caliber and motivation thrive in this challenging environment. It’s also great to know that her love for the outdoors, passion for learning and excellent skill sets will all benefit the long-term management of the American bison. Also, let’s not forget that she did field work in Wyoming, where the average January temperature is 12° F!”

Campus Life
On campus, Langbein is a member of the lacrosse team (“I love being able to play lacrosse, a sport I love, while getting a great education”), and she serves as president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), a forum for student-athletes to explore and discuss issues that affect their athletic experience on a day-to-day basis. She is also a member of Alpha Phi Omega, a service fraternity, and a member of the Honors program and Leadership Fellows program.

Thinking Ahead
“I have a rough outline for the next couple years, but I’m not exactly sure what it’ll look like,” says Langbein of her plans for the future. “I plan to apply to work at Yellowstone immediately after graduation. I think I’ll eventually go to grad school, too. My end goal is a career as a wildlife biologist, but honestly that could change. For now, I’m getting some experience, and then deciding how I feel about everything from there.”

RMC Internships
J-term internships offer a real-world setting for connecting academic learning with the workplace. RMC’s Edge Career Center and dedicated faculty assist students in finding the perfect internship opportunity.

The Edge, an intensive four-year program that prepares students for life after college, gives students a competitive advantage in the job market or graduate-school admissions process. Workshops, internships, one-on one advising, a career and networking Boot Camp, and a host of other resources ensure that students who graduate from RMC are lifelong learners who can think critically and adapt to new situations.

RMC’s Bassett Internship program offers academic credit and connects students with tailor-made internships to explore a wide range of career fields in various locations. Students can also choose from a variety of paid or volunteer internship opportunities.