Gear and Supplies

What you need to be prepared at your new job.

We are often asked what gear students and early career professionals should invest in when they are preparing for their job.  We have compiled a list of recommended gear and links to other resources about gear!

Must Haves!

• Hiking boots with ankle support or good knee boots

• Backpack (lots of options; hip belts also work well)

• GPS (almost always provided by your employer)

• Field notebook (Rite-In-The-Rain; often provided by your job)

• Pens, pencils (both mechanical and graphite are good to have just in case), pencil sharpener, sharpies

• Polarized sunglasses 

• Camera (this can be your phone if you're willing to let it get dinged up doing field work)

• Phone, radio, SPOT device (always have some way to communicate in case of emergency)

• Pocket knife/multi-tool

• Weather appropriate jackets and hat

• Permits

• First Aid Kit

• Lots of water and snacks!

Suggested Extras

• Fingerless sun gloves (protect your skin!)

• Buff (protect your skin!)

• Gaiters (especially in places w/ invasive plants) 

• Snake chaps (especially when walking in high grass with rattlesnakes and other venomous snakes)

• Sunscreen and lip balm

• Hand lens

• Binoculars

• Field guides and apps

• Change of clothes

• Sandals to put on when you are done

• Sanitizer/Wipes

• Hand-wash station

Other Resources

Don't Forget About Job Boards!

https://sites.google.com/tws-west.org/roadmap-to-jobs/job-boards