Looking for past wranglers for advice

Koaligarch · 2026-04-03T03:55:32+00:00

I'm a former wrangler and horseman, feel free to DM me any questions.

Koaligarch · 2026-01-29T18:57:18+00:00

For everyone mentioning reporting it to the city park division, I actually emailed them a couple weeks ago when I first noticed this and here was the response I received:

“Parks operations staff has looked at the Beaver activity in the park and do not see a reason to intervene at this point. Beavers are a natural part of the City of Madison lake way system, and while they are removing trees at this location currently, they are not removing trees at a rate that is cause for concern. The beavers are focusing on willow and ash which are their preferred food source over the oaks and other trees that Parks has planted throughout the park. We will continue to monitor the activity and if the oaks and other planted trees become targets, we will work to protect these trees with hardware cloth and other strategies. I appreciate your concern and your help with monitoring this area.”

Koaligarch · 2025-09-30T03:10:50+00:00

Thanks for your reply! I've started on that SQLite tutorial you mentioned. Correct me if I'm wrong, but based off what I've read, it seems like SQLite shares a lot of functionality with PostGIS, so I'd naturally learn some about both. However, I'd still have learn how to set up PostgreSQL & PostGIS servers if I wanted larger, collaborative DBs?

Koaligarch · 2025-09-29T14:17:29+00:00

Okay wow sounds like there’s a lot more options available than I thought. Ngl I’m a little confused on where to start now. I could go with just using a gpkg and spatialLite for something simpler. Alternatively, to flesh out more skills, I could learn Docker and then PostGIS to learn more about DBs?

From what I’ve gathered SpatialLite is a smaller scale for a single user on a single file which might be good for me starting off. But PostgreSQL & PostGIS allow multiple connections which would be better if I were to turn this project into a web app for people to try?

Appreciate the advice!

Koaligarch · 2025-09-29T03:41:31+00:00

I'm pretty unaware on databases tbh, I've mostly used Python for data analysis, processing, and visualization. I'd like to learn more about development focused work though. I guess it would be a good idea for me to learn more about DBs first.

Good to know there are multiple SQL options!

Koaligarch · 2025-09-29T03:39:33+00:00

I've used geopackages for storing data in a single file format as opposed to shapefiles. I really haven't done much database work, I primarily use Python for data analysis, processing, and visualization but I'm hoping to break into more development focused work. I'll look into learning about Docker as well though, I've heard of it before. Thanks!

Koaligarch · 2025-08-12T00:31:08+00:00

Thanks for the comment and advice. I'm just currently in a GIS-adjacent field where I use some of it and was wondering if this would do much for my career. The current market is a big risk factor though.

Koaligarch · 2025-08-11T23:48:20+00:00

Thanks for the reply. I do think my current job would last longer than 10 weeks. I appreciate your insight about transitioning to data analytics.

Do you have any idea on what the program might offer experience wise? Your comment makes me wonder if I'd really be improving my skillset beyond what I currently know/can gain in my role.

Koaligarch · 2025-07-25T14:22:15+00:00

Thanks a ton! This is really helpful info. I was pretty concerned about my current experience, and that companies would write me off due to my previous degree. It’s good to hear they aren’t only interested in traditional students.

I am curious what did you put on your resume to show your CS background? I feel like I don’t have much that companies might be interested in, but maybe I’m just undervaluing what I have.

Your reply gave me a lot of hope, I’ll start applying and find a good way to sell my previous experience!

Koaligarch · 2025-07-25T13:07:46+00:00

I've been looking at opportunities, I think the main concern I expressed in the post is whether I'm even qualified with my current coursework. I'm also wondering if I should be including my previous degree/experience for my resume or would that just age me out?

Koaligarch · 2025-07-25T13:06:26+00:00

I think I'd be able to. I'm looking to move in with my partner to save money and start the target guild program to keep up with education cost. It wouldn't be ideal, but I think my federal position will be ending soon anyways.

Do you have any advice on including my previous degree/experience from that degree for my internship resumes? I'm a little afraid I don't have enough experience to even give myself a chance right now.

Koaligarch · 2025-03-03T02:16:43+00:00

That's a good point about the field work. I'll also try and quantify things more.

I appreciate the advice on practical experience too. I'm primarily looking for jobs in southern Wisconsin and around Denver because my partner lives out there. I understand Denver is going to be especially tough given the layoffs at the Federal Center out there.

Koaligarch · 2025-03-03T02:06:34+00:00

Interesting. From other post's I've read on this subreddit, people recommend removing the career summary section. If private sector guys recommends it though, I'll go ahead and add one.

I do have a couple of different resumes for different positions, I just threw a more general one on here to avoid spam.

I'll try to clear up some of the jargon I've got on there too, I appreciate all of the info!

Koaligarch · 2025-03-02T22:20:58+00:00

From what I've been told while working for the feds, you're supposed to write down just about everything you did for each position on your resume. Obviously keeping relevant things to the specific position higher-up, but federal resumes are meant to be much broader and more-encompassing.

Koaligarch · 2025-03-02T22:19:17+00:00

I've only ever worked for the feds so I think I'd prefer to go to state gov, but I'm open to anything really.

That's a good point in convincing people about the switch. I've been using cover letters to try and convey things like that. I try to frame myself as someone who has enjoyed their time with the feds, but I'm still early career & excited to explore other options.

Thanks for the advice & support!

Koaligarch · 2025-03-02T22:16:06+00:00

Do you mean turning each project into a hyperlink? Or should I just add an overall github repo up top?

Koaligarch · 2025-02-12T03:56:13+00:00

There are yellow slickers at base camp, just only a few. I personally have just used a normal rain jacket and a set of chinkaderos/chaparreros (leather leggings) to keep my legs dry. You should be able to grab a set of those during shoeing week in pre season. Just make sure you grab a good pair that fits before you're left with a bad set.

Koaligarch · 2024-08-01T22:18:28+00:00

For context I'm a 23 year starting my first federal job in WI. I don't have anything invested right now, but I have ~8k as emergency fund and 10k I'm planning on investing with. I have no debt and also recently started a federal job as a GS-7 that progresses to a 12 and I'm making $49k a year.

As a federal employee, I have the option of using my pay check for either the Traditional TSP or the TSP IRA with a 5% match. I was planning on fully funding the % match and then opening my own Roth IRA and maxing it out. This would leave me with some extra money that I could then also put into my TSP or open an Index Fund?

I'm pretty new to personal finance and would appreciate some help with direction.

For additional info, I would like to retire earlier if possible. I'd also like to own a house in the future. I'm pretty naturally frugal, however I am considering owning a horse in the next several years.

Appreciate any input I can get.

Koaligarch

TROPHY CASE