INTEGRATING GENDER DIVERSE AND INTERDISCIPLINARY PROFESSIONALS INTO TRADITIONAL UNITED-STATES-DEPARTMENT-OF-AGRICULTURE-FOREST-SERVICE CULTURE

In compliance with environmental legislation and affirmative action policies of the 1970s, a generation of interdisciplinary and gender diverse professionals have been hired by the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Forest Service. Two studies examine the first wave of these new employees (half of whom were women), finding most committed to their profession, involved with mentors, and integrating into the agency culture. When career development difficulties did occur, they were usually associated with type of profession rather than gender. Wildlife and fisheries biologists, new to the Forest Service, had more difficulty accepting and becoming committed to the agency than their forester or range manager colleagues. There were several important gender differences, with women usually the more satisfied about their current status and future Forest Service career prospects.