E-mail this pageAdirondack Experience Alumni Profiles
Wondering whether your interest in the outdoors could someday earn you a paycheck? Read on! Plattsburgh State ADX students gain valuable real-world experience that can lead to fulfilling - and exciting - career choices.
Jason Broman: Class of 2007
Major: Expeditionary Studies
Jason is member of the first cohort of expeditionary studies graduates. Pursuing his dream to work in the mountains, he found work with Seattle-based Mountain Madness, one of the premier mountaineering schools and guide services in the world, right after graduation.
During his first summer, Jason has been learning the ropes, literally and figuratively, of commercial mountaineering by spending time in the office and in the field.
Office work for Jason ranges from equipment inventory and repair and packing for scheduled "Madness" trips. As an assistant guide, he's climbed Mt. Olympus, Mt. Baker, and Mt. Shuksan, as well as doing some rock climbing in Washington Pass and Leavenworth.
Getting noticed by senior guides and receiving nods of appreciation from clients, Jason is now leading his own rock climbing and mountaineering trips for "Madness" without assistance.
Glenn Shackeltano: Class of 1999
Major: Criminal Justice
"My decision to find a career in the outdoors started after completing courses offered through Plattsburgh State's Adirondack Experience (ADX) program.
Since taking courses offered by ADX (Rock Climbing, Ice Climbing, Telemark Skiing and Sea Kayaking), and graduating from Plattsburgh State, I've worked with a variety of outdoor groups of people in a wide array of environments and situations.
Right out of Plattsburgh State, I started as an Outdoor Educator and Trip Leader for 3 years in the Adirondacks. This past summer, I finished an internship and apprentice guide training with Maine Island Kayak Company out of Peak's Island, Maine.
Having this first hand experience, I'm going to build on my Plattsburgh State experience by working to higher levels of certification in both Wilderness Medicine and Outdoor Leadership. And of course, I'll be skiing and climbing and paddling as much as I can!"
Michelle Schonzeit: Class of 2004
Major: Individualized Studies Major (Environmental Science, Law Enforcement, and Wilderness Emergency Services)
My initial interest in SUNY Plattsburgh's Adirondack Experience program started before I graduated from high school. I took a Backcountry Skiing course and fell in love with the program. That experience led me to attend Plattsburgh State the following year and continue taking courses that would broaden my outdoor education.
During my sophomore year, Dr. Soroka facilitated an internship with Yosemite National Park's Search and Rescue Office. The internship provided me with a wealth of knowledge in technical rescue and imparted a love of the National Park Service system.
The next year, with Dr. Soroka's help, I was able to experience another phenomenal summer with the National Park Service as a backcountry ranger intern at Olympic National Park. I conducted backcountry patrols in the wilderness departing from old growth rainforest and ending my patrol on the high glaciers on Mount Olympus.
These experiences led to a job offer at Grand Teton National Park during my junior year, again working with the skills and knowledge that I had gained from the Adirondack Experience program. My responsibilities at Grand Teton included boat patrols, climbing patrols, and providing search and rescue and wilderness medical services, just to name a few.
By my senior year at SUNY Plattsburgh, I had multiple full time job offers with the National Park Service. Upon graduation I set out west once again for a position at Crater Lake National Park in Oregon specializing in backcountry ski patrol, search and rescue and avalanche operations.
A year later from my graduation, I recently accepted a promotion with the National Park Service and moved to Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Arizona. I am thrilled with my professional responsibilities and enjoying a sense of security few recent college graduates appreciate by having a well paying position, benefits and an ability to reach many promotions within my field.
My Individualized Studies Major allowed me to custom tailor a major that suited my educational and professional goals. My major closely followed what has now become the Expeditionary Studies major. As a professional working in the fields of mountain rescue and wilderness emergency services, I can't state how effective I believe this program is in preparing students to work in austere wilderness environments in a multitude of roles.
Dr. Soroka and the Adirondack Experience program were a catalyst in my life to realizing my professional dreams and obtaining success in a diverse profession.
Michelle Januzzi: Class of 2002
Major: Psychology
Minor: Outdoor Studies
After graduating in 2002, I began my career as a Wilderness Counselor for At-Risk Youth at Ascent, one of the best wilderness programs in Idaho.
I then moved back east to be a Course Instructor for Baltimore Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School. During that time, I also joined the building crew for the tall ship Schooner Virginia.
Currently I am a Ropes Course Instructor with the public school system in Virginia Beach VA. I also work for the local Parks and Recreation developing outdoor programs and a summer nature camp. This summer I'll be working with the ropes course and as an ACA kayak instructor and guide for Wild River Outfitters.
Contact Information
If you have any questions about Expeditionary Studies classes, please feel free to contact us:
Larry Soroka, Director and Chair
Phone: (518) 564-5292
E-mail: laurence.soroka@plattsburgh.edu