For Walters State Student Eliott Cudd, the Outdoors Is More Than a Hobby
October 21, 2026
When Eliott Cudd enrolled at Walters State Community College, he knew he wanted a career that would keep him close to nature.
What he didn't know was that Walters State offered courses that could help him get there.
“Truthfully, I was unaware these courses existed when I first enrolled at Walters State,” Cudd said. “But I knew that I wanted my career to be involved with nature and take place outdoors.”
Cudd found that opportunity through the college's Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries pathway, which prepares students for continued study and careers in wildlife management, forestry, fisheries, conservation and related fields.
The pathway combines biological and natural resource sciences with hands-on experiences that take learning beyond the traditional classroom.
For Cudd, that approach has made a difference.
“The hands-on experience and personable instructors have had a major impact in helping me get to where I am,” he said. “The instructors I have had genuinely want you to succeed.”
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Students in the pathway study subjects ranging from conservation and ecology to the identification of trees, wildlife and fish species.
Courses include Introduction to Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries; Conservation; Dendrology; and General Ecology.
Students also participate in field-based activities that help them understand how organisms interact with their environments and how natural resources are managed.
“As someone who is primarily a kinesthetic learner, hands-on experience is essential for understanding a topic,” Cudd said. “Especially classes such as dendrology and ecology, you really must get out there and see it to understand it.”
Beyond coursework, students may have opportunities to conduct field research, earn digital badges and complete independent studies or internships with area partners.
The pathway also provides a foundation for students planning to transfer to a four-year institution to pursue a bachelor's degree in a natural resource field.
More Career Options Than You Might Think
Cudd hopes more students discover the opportunities available through the pathway.
“A lot of people have the impression that these courses are primarily for those who want to become park rangers or game wardens, but there are many more options out there,” he said.
His advice to students considering the program is simple.
“If you have any interest in the natural world at all, I would highly recommend this program."