Senior management analyst supervisor and former Girl Scout Deb Stone works in the Bureau of Natural and Cultural Resources.
What inspired you to work in the parks and recreation field?
I enjoy preserving and restoring natural Florida and helping connect people to outdoor experiences.
I especially love getting to explore backwoods and remote areas, and all the variety of amazing habitats we have here in Florida.
Describe your job in the Florida Park Service. What are the favorite parts of your job?
I help on a variety of natural resource projects around the state, from invasive species management to sea turtle working groups to data collection and analysis. But my favorite part is getting to visit the different state parks and meeting our passionate and knowledgeable staff.
How did your participation in Girl Scouts prepare you for your career?
Girl Scouts gave me so many wonderful outdoors experiences and is one of the major parts of my life that sparked my love for conservation. I enjoyed all the camping and hiking trips, sciences badges, etc. I was lucky to find my passion so early in life.
What advice would you offer to young women who want to pursue a career in parks and recreation?
Don't hesitate to ask lots of questions and to try lots of new tasks or workdays. Some of the best parts of my career came from activities I didn't think I'd really enjoy. Make as many connections as possible. It’s just as important in this field as in business.
