Vanvay Chitpaseuth

• Field and focus area of study: Natural Resources, Adaptive Management and Collaborative Management
• Hometown: Vientiane, Laos

What were you doing prior to the MPS degree program? 

I was working for a U.S.-based wildlife conservation agency in Laos as a Program Manager, encouraging local governments and communities to work together in supporting a protected area.  

What are your short-term and long-term career goals? 

After graduating from my MPS degree program, I will be returning back to my home country and continue working in the conservation field. I will be able to provide more support and opportunities to new conservationists, by doing this, create a greater impact to conservation work done in my country.

Why did you choose to pursue the CALS MPS degree?

I chose to pursue the CALS MPS degree because CALS has a long history of professional development, diverse cultural community, worldwide network, and educational resources available.

What advice would you give to your younger self embarking on the journey of graduate school? 

I would recommend that all new graduate students, especially people from the Southeast Asian Countries, spend every possible minute meeting people and learning new things. Remember that you are a part of this learning community, even a small contribution could make a great impact. 

Why are you interested in sustainable natural resource management? 

In Laos, my home country, people rely on natural resource use for both daily life and earning income. Over-harvesting and the lack of a sustainable management system are the key issues that need to be addressed to secure the future availability of natural resources and ensure the resources will be used in a sustainable way.