When Clare Waldoch was growing up in Elk River, Minnesota, she didn鈥檛 imagine she鈥檇 one day be helping fight wildfires from the ground- supporting aircraft that scoop thousands of gallons of water from lakes to douse flames. But for her, the path to purpose was anything but predictable.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 have a strong force guiding me to environmental work or schooling at 18,鈥� Clare recalls. 鈥淎lthough, my dad always called me 鈥榯he nature girl.鈥欌��
It was a friend, Kristina Rands, who first introduced her to 黑料吃瓜, Vermilion. After visiting Kristina on campus, Clare was hooked. 鈥淚 decided to apply for the same program she did (Fisheries and Wildlife Management) and started the semester after her. I鈥檓 glad I did it.鈥�
Living in the metro area had its struggles. 鈥淚n my later years of high school, I found myself seeking trouble and hadn鈥檛 rallied the most influential group of friends,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 attribute my attending Minnestoa North and the setting of Ely for helping me find my moral integrity again and getting me back on track.鈥�
The transition to college life was made easier by the welcoming community she found in Vermilion Hall. 鈥淲e had a very accepting group of girls in our dorm room,鈥� she says. 鈥淪ome moments I remember were stringing hammocks from the ceiling beams in the fireside lounge, cookouts with our hallway neighbors, and evening bonfires out front.鈥�
It was in Vermilion鈥檚 wildland fire classes that Clare鈥檚 passion truly ignited. 鈥淭he two classes that really piqued my interest were wildland fire-based, particularly when we were doing hose lays and learning to operate chainsaws,鈥� she says. 鈥淗ands-on, problem-solving, and outdoor classes were my favorite.鈥�
After graduation, she followed that spark into the world of fire aviation. For four years, she loaded fire retardant into Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs), supporting pilots as they flew into danger zones. That experience led her to her current role as Mobile Repair Unit Support Driver for .
Today, Clare supports a fleet of amphibious aircraft known as Super Scoopers鈥攑lanes that skim across lakes to collect over 1,400 gallons of water before releasing it over wildfires. Her job? Keeping the aircraft flying.
鈥淚 transport and maintain the Mobile Repair Unit (MRU), a 45-foot enclosed trailer containing everything an aircraft mechanic may need to repair a Super Scooper,鈥� she explains. 鈥淗aving a fully stocked MRU is a crucial part of our operation during the fire season.鈥�
One moment that stands out came during a fire in Oregon. A Super Scooper was grounded due to a mechanical issue. 鈥淭he part we needed was in Bozeman, Montana. Within hours, I was on a commercial flight with the part in hand. The aircraft was flying again that evening. It was gratifying to help get it back in the air.鈥�
Now, a decade after her college days, Clare is back in Ely. She is part of a team protecting the region she once explored as a student. 鈥淭he aircraft are available to work anywhere in the U.S. and Canada, so the likelihood I鈥檇 come back to Ely was slim, but never impossible,鈥� she says. 鈥淭he best part of being back has been the unplanned meeting of old friends in the park, grocery stores, or on the streets of downtown.鈥�
To those just starting their journey, Clare offers this advice: 鈥淔ind a career that gets you fired up! If you are proud of what you’re doing, you will undoubtedly perform better.鈥�
And for anyone still searching for their path? 鈥淒on鈥檛 settle for a mundane career; challenge yourself. Some people take a lifetime to find a career that checks all their boxes, so don鈥檛 give up the search.鈥�