Just one short year ago, I was starting my Knauss Fellowship with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Division of Congressional and Legislative Affairs. While I had experience working with Congress in past positions and studied wildlife policy in graduate school at Indiana University, it was still a significant transition into this fellowship and working with the federal government.

Luckily, my office had a fellow the previous year and both of my supervisors are Knauss alums, so they understood and appreciated the role of the fellowship in career development. From the moment I began my fellowship with the service, I was treated like a full member of the team and given a robust portfolio of programs to cover, including the Endangered Species Act and the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program. I worked closely with service leadership and developed relationships both inside the agency and with Congressional staff (including the many legislative fellows).

With the completion of the fellowship in January, I am very excited about my latest transition into a full-time position with the forest service. I am continuing my work with the Division of Congressional and Legislative Affairs and even sitting at the same desk. I knew that my experiences over the past year would be important in my future career, though the direct connection was more than I had dared to hope for last February.

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Alyssa, left, celebrating bat week with colleagues and a Madagascan flying fox.

The Knauss Fellowship has afforded so many opportunities for career development, learning about marine policy, and meeting new people. With fellow-run committees focused on career development and social activities, and even a thesis-writing club, we were inundated with opportunities to engage with each other and other professionals in our field. My class was open to new experiences and friendships, and I look forward to continuing these relationships with my class as we move forward in our careers.

I recently met the newest class of Knauss Fellows, and admit that I had a few pangs of jealously that they are just beginning this great experience. I wish them all the best of luck with their next year and future pursuits.

Alyssa Hausman was one of our Knauss Fellow for 2015.

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The Center for Great Lakes Literacy has launched a beautifully redesigned website. The star of the show is the Resource Library!Whether you're teaching in a classroom, leading a community program, or just passionate about the Great Lakes, the new hub makes it easier than ever to find lesson plans, activities, videos, and stewardship ideas tailored to your needs.🔗 Visit the link in bio to dive in!#TeachingTuesday
Looking for engaging, place-based literacy resources this school year? The Great Lakes: Our Freshwater Treasure by Barb Rosenstock is a beautifully illustrated dive into the geology, ecology, and history of our Great Lakes—perfect for sparking curiosity in learners of all ages. 📖 Learn more at the link in bio.#GreatLakes #BookRecommendation #TeachingTuesdays@brosenstock
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