Student Spotlight-Jordan Ortega

Jordan Ortega has learned that sometimes the best life experiences involve getting uncomfortable...and taking risks. Whether that means changing majors from what feels safe to what feels meaningful or leaving a steady job to spend a summer nine hours from A&M-Texarkana and five hours from his family in the Kinwood community of Harris County, Texas.

“I actually started at the University as an accounting major, because I knew I could do math well, and it seemed like a comfortable route,” Jordan shared. “After my first year, I switched majors to biology, because I love nature and conservation work.”

Even though he grew up in an urban area near Houston, Jordan’s family would visit local and state parks. “We traveled all around Texas to see the different landscapes. That started the spark,” Jordan reflected. “Trips to zoos and museums also played a role. I’ve always been someone who wants to know more. I don’t need to know everything immediately, but I want to keep learning.”

As a follower of several Texas Parks and Wildlife social media platforms, Jordan began seeing opportunities for summer internships within the state park system. After deciding to apply to four different parks, he was selected from approximately 80 applicants to spend his summer at South Llano River State Park in Junction, TX.

“Just knowing I would spend three months living in a state park was exciting,” Jordan shared. “I also knew this would give me insight into whether this was something I wanted
to do long term.”

The decision to spend his summer so far away from home didn't come easily. He already had a steady job as assistant manager at the University bookstore. “Before I started the internship, I met with Professor James Bright to ask whether he thought the opportunity was a good idea for me to pursue. He was very encouraging. He told me, ‘It’s a big decision, but if this is what you want to do for the rest of your life, then do it.’”

That encouragement gave Jordan the confidence to choose the opportunity over what was familiar.
When he arrived at the Park, Jordan felt overwhelmed and homesick. “I was still thinking about how far away I was from everyone,” he confessed.

Yet, on his first day of work, something shifted. “I began to think, ‘This is really what I want to be doing.’ Day two solidified it.”

During his first few days, Jordan spent time birding, helped inspect trees, and shared information with park visitors. “From the day I arrived, everyone was welcoming. Even with my supervisors, it didn't feel like an employer-to-manager relationship. It felt more like friend-to-friend.”

As part of the internship, Jordan was required to complete a project that helped him learn while also benefiting the park. “I didn't want to limit myself to one idea. I’ve tried to complete several different projects while I’m here.”

One he’s most proud of continues the legacy of a previous Park intern—caging pecan-tree saplings to protect them from invasive white-tailed and axis deer and wild hogs. “When you walk through our bottomland, you see large, mature pecan trees, but you don’t see saplings or young trees,” Jordan explained. “The deer and hogs prevent them from surviving.”

The previous intern surveyed five different areas over five days and found 12 saplings. “In two days, we’ve found 30 saplings, and we still have three more days and three more areas to survey. In a few years, those saplings will be able to come out of their cages, grow, and eventually replace the older trees.”

Jordan has also witnessed his coursework coming to life in the landscape of Texas Hill Country when what he’s learned in the classroom suddenly became real. “I’ll be doing something and think, ‘They taught me that in Biology I. Everything I’ve learned in my classes has connected in some way to what I’m doing here.”

Throughout his internship and time as a student, Jordan has learned firsthand the power of inquiry and connection. "I encourage any student to pursue every opportunity available. Ask every question, connect with everyone you can, and learn as much as possible from your experience. I came to A&M-Texarkana planning to study accounting before changing to biology. Even through that transition, the University continually gave me opportunities to grow. Learn what you want to do and leave knowing you accomplished it."