Into the Wild Caroline Wise '23 is spending her second summer working as an alpine guide in Alaska.
Caroline Wise ’23, alpine guide“…I know that I am learning how to be a team player and add value to a company, which will benefit me with any career path I choose.”
~Caroline Wise ’23
Name: Caroline Wise ’23
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Majors/minors: majoring in politics and environmental studies
Q: What factors led you to choose W&L?
I chose W&L because it was the perfect fit for me academically, socially and athletically. The other schools I was considering could not match what W&L offered in all three of those categories. I loved the academic rigor, the social scene and the fact that I could play lacrosse.
Q: Why did you choose your primary fields of study?
I chose to double major in politics and environmental studies because I enjoyed the faculty in these departments and the content I was learning.
Q: How did you find out about this summer opportunity?
I found this job at St. Elias Alpine Guides in McCarthy, Alaska, online. I was looking for jobs involving the outdoors. Once I interviewed with the management team, I knew it was the best fit for me! This is my second summer with this company, so I thoroughly enjoyed my first summer to say the least.
Q: What kind of work are you doing?
I am guiding multi-day backcountry trips, glacier hikes, historic mill town tours and ice climbs.
Q: What do you like most about it, and what has been most challenging so far?
I love the people I work with. I am one of the youngest staff members, so it is nice to get to know people in different stages of their life and different interests than the typical W&L student. One thing I struggle with is my diet, as there is no refrigeration or grocery store where I work. I have to order my food for three weeks at a time, which can be challenging to maintain a healthy diet.
Q: How do you think your current summer experience will impact your future career path?
While I am not sure where guiding in the outdoors fits into my future plans, I know that I am learning how to be a team player and add value to a company, which will benefit me with any career path I choose.
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