In the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences at Western Michigan University, we receive consistent feedback from our students and industry partners. The skills gained in our program are what set them apart from other candidates in pursuing careers in the geosciences and in applying to graduate school. Here are some examples of recent testimonials to our program.
Testimonials
HFC students share their experiences
Video of Hydrogeology Field Course Western Michigan University (WMU)
Video of Hydrogeology Field Course Western Michigan University (WMU)
- “I just wanted to let you know that they called me this morning and I have an interview with them this Friday! Interview with the other company is next Friday. This has been an exciting week! Have a great afternoon and thank you again for all your guidance.”
- “I just landed a job as an environmental scientist doing remediation. I can say with 100% honesty that it was because of your excellent reference and the fact that I took this course that I got the job. Thank you for all you do for your students at WMU.”
- “Thank you for the letter of recommendation! The hydrogeology field course has been the best investment I have made concerning my studies and career. I gained so much valuable experience, thank you. Best regards from Norway”
- “Thank you for supporting me for a long time. I'm glad to let you know that I got two job offers and have taken one as a Project Geologist. You gave me so much knowledge in the field work and I'd like to keep doing what you taught me. As an international student/ foreigner, it is almost impossible to get a job in the U.S. Most of my friends who are international students had no choice but to go back to their county, but because of your help I have survived this far and continuing my life in the U.S. Thank you so much.”
- “I never thanked you for putting in a good word for me or for telling me about the job in the first place. Thanks for helping me get my career started! Thanks again. I couldn't have done it without you.”
- “This summer I attended the hydrogeology field course at WMU. I came all the way from Denmark and was afraid that all the practical stuff such as finding a car, a place to stay, getting picked up at the airport etc. would be very difficult. But I was very pleasantly surprised. The course director helped me with all this, and my stay ended up being one of the best times of my life. So, I would like to thank WMU and everyone involved in making the field camp such a good experience. I hope WMU will continue having the field course for a long time since it is my impression that everyone who takes it gain a lot of experience and knowledge from the course. I will recommend it in Denmark at least. Thank you very much and I hope to come again someday!”
- “I would like to pass on a personal note of thanks for your support of my son in the geoscience department at WMU. We are about to visit him in New York where he's working for the USGS doing stream water data collection, gauging station maintenance, and fish surveys in the Hudson Valley and Adirondacks region. He loves it and his colleagues are appreciative of his knowledge and skill level giving him many new opportunities all around the state. When his internship ends this fall his boss already encouraged him to apply for the position that will open. Thought you would like to know of another successful Bronco making their way in the world thanks to your knowledge, mentorship and moral character.”
- “The director treated everyone like family but also held us to high expectations, which I found extremely conducive to learning. Overall, my experience during the HFC at WMU was excellent. I am currently in a master’s program in Hydrogeology at another university and continue to boast about my experiences and skills learned at WMU to my professors, fellow geology students, and anyone who is interested in gaining industry wanted skills in environmental geology.”
- “I know this is probably a little bit overdue but thank you for everything you did for me in my job search and helping me throughout field camp. I really appreciate the letters of recommendation and getting me an interview. Everything you did helped me get my current job and for that I am extremely grateful.”
- “I just wanted to let you know that I accepted the job and I owe it all to you! Thank you for putting in a good word for me!”
- “Thank you so much for the wonderful experience. It has really helped me figure out who I want to be and what direction I want to go in. I have learned a lot from you all and I will never forget my experiences at field camp.”
- “I wanted to thank you again for helping so many students succeed. Last week I accepted an offer for a small environmental firm and the training I received at WMU HFC is the reason why I was selected. This opportunity is so exciting and I’m looking forward to digging back into science related field work. Thank you!”
- “The time spent at Western Michigan was invaluable. We were able to grow in a structured environment that left room for creativity and ingenuity. We spent our time understanding essential background information, which was used daily in practical application at real geological project sites. We built and analyzed water wells, interpreted discharge data, and mapped aquifers using cool technology. Every day was different, and every week included new challenges and skills.”
- “The Western Michigan University Hydrogeology field course provided me with the necessary hands on experience to become the marketable graduate I am today. Throughout the course I gained valuable skills in areas such as teamwork, leadership, problem solving, and critical thinking. I highly recommend this course to any individuals that wish to make a difference in this world and help clean up our environment for future generations.”
- “Well I was waiting until it was official, but I am happy to say that I accepted a position with as a geologist. I'd like to thank my family and friends for their support in my endeavors and a special thank you to the WMU Hydrogeology Field Camp for giving me the tools I needed to be a step above other candidates. I can't wait to see where this opportunity leads.”
- “Since completing the Hydrogeology Field Course, I feel completely prepared and confident in my abilities to be a contributing member in any workforce. Looking at job descriptions online and seeing that the skills they require are all the skills I’ve learned is just reassurance that I made the right choice. I will never forget the relationships I made and the experience I had. I would recommend this program to anyone who is interested.”