Texas Tech Alumna Feels the Heat in Her Chosen Field
July 3, 2014
Angie Reid is now a fire ecologist in Florida.
Reid
As one of the first students in Texas Tech University’s Natural History and Humanities (NHH) program within the Honors College, Texas Tech expanded Angie Reid’s world of science.
Reid made the most of her Texas Tech experience before graduating in 2007, double majoring in Range Management and Wildlife and Fisheries Management. She also minored in Natural History and Humanities (now called Environment and the Humanities), Biology and Animal Science.
“The NHH degree added something wholly different to my education, something I didn’t really realize was possible in science-related college courses,” Reid said. “I learned to look at nature with an eye for drawing and creative writing instead of just under a microscope.”
Today, Reid is a fire ecologist for the Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy in Tallahassee, Florida. Her time is split between both indoor and outdoor work that includes managing the lab, data processing, conducting prescribed fires for research purposes, species composition and other sampling that relates to how fire impacts the ecosystem.
“I would say the most important things I gained from my time at Texas Tech were time management, leadership and networking skills,” Reid said. “As soon as I arrived at Texas Tech, I jumped in head first and became involved in any and all clubs that interested me.”
While at Texas Tech, Reid was involved in many organizations, including Eta Omicron Nu, the Texas Tech Chapter of the Society for Range Management, Agri-Techsans, AgPals and Cultural Diversity Committee.
Reid said her education at Texas Tech expanded beyond the classroom. Along with studying wildlife biology in Kenya, she canoed down the Missouri River, following the path of Lewis and Clark, took Maymester classes at the Junction campus for ornithology and mammalogy and attended conferences across the country each year to compete with Range Plant ID and learn about new research.
After touring schools across the nation, Reid said she came to Texas Tech because of her major and the friendly atmosphere felt on campus. The personal attention she received during her campus visit gave her the confidence that she could expect the same throughout her education.
“I received a traditional education with adventure and real-world experience to boot,” Reid said. “I was constantly challenged and never bored. Tech provided me with all the opportunities I could have wanted.”
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Getting to know
Angie Reid
What is your favorite spot on Texas Tech campus?
I always loved walking down Ag Row, because I would never get very far before running into a friend or professor.
What is your favorite Texas Tech tradition?
I would have to say Carol of Lights. I loved that the Christmas spirit was still thriving on campus. Walking around in the evenings when all the buildings were lit up was always one of my favorite things during the year.
What do you love most about being a Red Raider?
I love the pride that Red Raiders exhibit for our school, even long after they have graduated and moved away from Lubbock.
What is one word you would use to describe yourself?
Adventurous
What is your favorite Texas Tech memorabilia?
I have a stuffed Raider Red that plays Tech’s fight song that sits on the couch next to me during games, and I play the fight song every time we score, just like at the games.
What advice would you give to current Texas Tech students?
Texas Tech offers an incredible number of ways to get involved in university clubs, professional societies and community organizations. I would recommend getting involved in as many as possible that spark your interest. Creating a solid network of peers and mentors will help you incredibly throughout your career and getting involved gives you life experiences you might not attain during your course work.