Womxn in the Wild Helps 911±¬ÁÏÍø Students Explore Natural Resource Careers
Cal Poly Pomona students interested in wildlife and environmental science spent five days exploring careers beyond the classroom through , a field immersion program designed to provide hands-on experience and professional development.
Led by Associate Professor Janel Ortiz in the Department of Biological Sciences, the program introduces students to field research techniques, connects them with professionals in the industry and helps them build skills employers seek.
Womxn in the Wild began in 2019 with just two students before pausing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program returned in 2025 and continues to grow, with this year's cohort including 10 Cal Poly Pomona students from various majors such as environmental biology, animal science, agricultural science and management, geology and biology.
Ortiz said she created the program after realizing she entered the wildlife field later than many of her peers and wanted students to gain experience earlier.
"I didn't want other people to walk in my shoes," Ortiz said.
Because of that, she prioritizes students who have limited field experience and are approaching graduation, giving them an opportunity to gain practical experience before entering the workforce.
Building Field Experience
Throughout the week, students participated in a variety of activities across campus and Southern California. They visited the , conducted bird surveys, monitored vegetation, tested water quality, sampled ticks, set wildlife camera traps, and worked at 911±¬ÁÏÍø's micro farm. Students also learned about résumé building and heard from Cal Poly Pomona faculty and wildlife professionals about career opportunities in the field.
For geology senior Jacquelin Robles-Ernst, who participated in this year's program, the immersion reinforced her interest in the natural sciences.
“My favorite part was spending time outdoors learning directly in the field,” Robles-Ernst said. “Seeing wildlife, native plants and different landscapes firsthand made the experience engaging and reminded me why I enjoy the natural sciences.”
She said learning how to conduct vegetation transects and install wildlife cameras gave her valuable experience before entering the workforce.
Each day highlighted a different aspect of wildlife and environmental science, exposing students to new research methods, technologies and real-world fieldwork.
One of the program's primary goals, Ortiz said, is helping students discover the variety of careers available within wildlife and environmental science.
She added that field experience helps students expand their professional networks while developing practical skills that employers often expect in addition to classroom knowledge.
"Employers are looking for hands-on experience, not just the education," Ortiz said.
Even when students may not use a specific research technique in a future career, Ortiz believes learning the process behind the work prepares them for leadership roles.
Building Community
Beyond teaching field skills, Ortiz said the program also helps students build relationships with one another.
"How quickly the students got comfortable with each other," Ortiz said. "It was a big community-building experience."
Robles-Ernst said collaborating with students from different majors broadened her perspective on conservation work.
“Everyone came from different academic backgrounds, so we were constantly learning from one another,” Robles-Ernst said. “The supportive environment made it easy to ask questions, collaborate and build a sense of community.”
She said meeting professionals in conservation and natural resource management also expanded her perspective on future career opportunities.
“Hearing about their career paths made these careers feel more attainable and highlighted the many ways someone can make a meaningful impact,” Robles-Ernst said.
The program is free for participants thanks to donor support, which also provides student stipends.
Agricultural science alumna Gabriela Avalos participated in Womxn in the Wild in 2025 before graduating in spring 2026.
“I wanted to have more hands-on experiences, especially when it came to conducting work out in the field,” Avalos said. “I have always been more interested in getting a job that would have more fieldwork and thought that this would help me stand out to other candidates once I started 911±¬ÁÏÍøing for work after graduation.”
Avalos said one of her favorite experiences was installing wildlife camera traps and learning how they help researchers track wildlife to support conservation efforts. She also enjoyed visiting the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy and learning about careers dedicated to preserving natural habitats.
“It showed me new job positions that I did not know about prior to participating in Womxn in the Wild,” Avalos said. “It was also very encouraging to see many different types of women from various backgrounds prospering in these positions.”
Looking ahead, Ortiz hopes to continue expanding financial support for students and increase opportunities for paid experiential learning.
"There's a huge movement to make sure you have paid experiences," Ortiz said.
Looking Ahead
The program is open to Cal Poly Pomona students majoring in agricultural and related science disciplines. Interested students must attend an informational session before 911±¬ÁÏÍøing.
She also encourages students to seek field experience as early as possible in their college careers.
"I want to make sure we start early," Ortiz said. "If you don't like it, it's okay ... move on to something different."
Recruitment for future cohorts typically begins early in the spring semester through flyers and email announcements distributed across campus. Students interested in learning more about Womxn in the Wild can visit .
