What is Ulster BOCES?
Rosalie Santerre

Ulster BOCES means different things to different people. For Rosalie Santerre, it means the opportunity to explore a variety of careers before deciding on a college major, while at the same time gaining practical experience and networking in her chosen career field.

Santerre, a 2007 graduate of New Paltz High School, participated in the Ulster BOCES Independent Career Exploration (ICE) program during her senior year of high school. The ICE program is designed to work with high school seniors who have tentatively chosen a career path they will pursue after high school. Students are placed in work sites that are either related to or in their chosen field, enabling them to see what the field is about before going to college. Careers like architecture, environmental science, forestry, floral design, and physical therapy are just some of the options students may explore though the ICE program.

As part of her ICE studies, Santerre worked for six months each at Minnewaska State Park Preserve and Sam’s Point Preserve, spent a week aboard the Hudson Clearwater Sloop, and also embarked on a weeklong dogsledding adventure in Ontario, Canada. The entire experience was invaluable, and led to her eventual decision to attend Paul Smith’s College of the Adirondacks, as well as the opportunity for full-time career-oriented employment during the summer months and school breaks.

During her Ulster BOCES ICE internships, Santerre was treated as a valuable team member of the Preserve, working hands-on in a plethora of different situations. “I learned so much, from how to use a variety of hand and power tools, to how to communicate my needs to field professionals. I also learned about invasive species, deer management, and exhibit design,” says Santerre of just a few of the skills she picked up while working at Minnewaska (a 10,000 acre preserve located in New Paltz and Gardiner) and Sam’s Point (a 4,600 acre preserve that contains the highest point in the Shawangunk Ridge), which became outdoor classrooms for the nature-loving Santerre.

Each week, Santerre had to document at least 11 1/2 hours of work in the Ulster BOCES ICE program, but that wasn’t a problem for the teen. Because of her vested career interest, the opportunities she experienced at both nature centers were a welcome addition to her schedule. “If you are driven, self-motivated, and seriously interested in a career field, this program is for you.

If you are interested in a field to the point where it takes up your free time and you don’t mind, this program is for you,” Santerre says. For the ambitious student, the high-level of dedication the program requires was an asset to her education.

The time she spent working on the mountains was a natural extension of Santerre’s personal interests. “I have always been interested in being outside. I was never a ‘plugged-in’ child dependent on video games and TV for entertainment. I could occupy myself for hours at a time. Now I take part in a variety of outdoor activities — backpacking, hiking, rock climbing, paddling,” says the active Santerre. With this background, Santerre knew she wanted to pursue an outdoor career when she graduated from high school, but was unsure of which avenue to take.

Through the Ulster BOCES ICE program, Santerre was able to hone in on which aspects of a career in nature would be most ideally suited to her as a full- time professional. “I was considering more jobs in the recreation field before I started ICE,” Santerre reflects. “I discovered that this wouldn’t really be a great career for me because working as a trail guide is all about customer service. Although I like working with people, I knew that I would rather work outside by myself or with a few select crew members.” Through her internships, Santerre learned that working in forestry would likely be better suited to her personality and talents.

At Paul Smith’s College, a 14,200 acre campus on the shores of the Lower Saint Regis Lake, Santerre is pursuing a double bachelor's degrees in Forestry & Recreation and Adventure Travel & Ecotourism. This degree will enable her to work in a variety of fields including reforestation, fire protection, forestry consultation, or management of public and private parks as well as cultural management services.