I never in a million years thought I had any chance, but it happened here.
Summer wildfires are a sad part of life in the Pacific Northwest, but for Cameron Stoker, the fires also bring purpose. After recovering from addiction, Cameron found his calling in the Wildland Fire Management at LCC. Now he spends his summers fighting fires, and his school year working on his transfer degree to one day study Forestry at OSU.
Like many Lane students, Cameron came to college later in life. “I’m non-traditional. I came into school at 32. I was an addict, who came from a broken home.” When Cameron was at his lowest point, living in his car, his sponsor suggested firefighting. Why fire? “Fire is an amazing metaphor for death and rebirth. It is a symbol for powerful change,” Cameron explained. For him, it was about more than giving back to the community–it was a metaphor for his personal growth and journey of recovery.
Cameron got a job with a local wildland fire and restoration company working for Oregon Woods, who referred him to LCC. “When I really thought about what I want to do,” Cameron explained, “when the barriers came down, I realized I was personally motivated by school.”
At Lane, the Career Pathways department helped him find an education path that would lead to employment. And the Advising team helped make that path affordable, with financial aid and credit for prior learning.
Once Cameron was in class, he quickly found his community, taking Wildland Fire Management and Geographic Information science classes and joining Lane’s Horticulture Club to connect with other ecologically-minded students.
“The best part of the program is making connections,” Cameron said. “Our instructors are pro, like Mike [Beasley] worked for Yellowstone [National Park].” His instructors gave him practical advice that is helping with his career path, like taking an Emergency Medical Services class or picking up a Geographic Information Science certificate as he finishes his transfer degree. His studies are already aiding his work, like this summer when he helped put out a lightning fire on the Colville Reservation in northeastern Washington..
“This has been a life-changing experience,” Cameron said about Lane. “I never in a million years thought I had any chance, but it happened here.”
When asked for his advice for other people who want to go back to school, but don’t think it’s possible, Cameron just had two words:
“It’s possible.”
Read more about Cameron’s experience with recovery and finding his path at Lane on his LinkedIn blog.