The life and autobiography of Scott Mark Huelsman (Waunakee, WI).
College & Science Work
In September 1987, I enrolled at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee and began my academic career, spending the next four years to ultimately obtain a Bachelor of Science in the Environmental Sciences (Biological Aspects of Conservation).
To supplement my academic education, I also worked two jobs, first a part-time job with the Defense Logistics Agency (as an IT support person) and then the last two years full-time as a chemist/wastewater treatment plant operator at a local electroplating company in Milwaukee.
After I graduated, I then spent three years at the Badger Army Ammunition Plant, managing a variety of environmental media and official correspondence.
Academic Experience (1987 - 1991)
Beginning my college years in the fall of 1987, I wanted to originally study atmospheric science and perhaps become a weatherman. However, the degree required too much math so I considered a degree in computer science. That degree, however, required college chemistry, something I was afraid to try (but, ultimately, took five semesters of–including organic chemistry–as I enjoyed it so much). After a short stint as a primary education major, I decided I wanted to actually DO the science rather than just teach it and I elected a degree in the Environmental Sciences (Biological Aspects of Conservation), graduating in May 1991.
IT Support Professional (Nov 1988 - June 1989)
While I had put away $2000 for college (and Uncle Sam matched that with $4000) and I was able to take out some student loans as well, I eventually needed to pick up a part-time job, which I did through the Defense Logistics Agency in downtown Milwaukee. This was actually a fun and easy position, providing Microsoft Office software support, training as needed and otherwise being an IT support professional. However, while the job was fun and easy, it wasn’t providing any relevant experience in the environmental field I was planning to graduate in, so I only stayed with the position for seven months.
Lab Technician/Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator (June 1989 - August 1991)
In the summer of 1989, I accepted a full-time position (while still attending college full-time) at the Artistic Plating Company in downtown Milwaukee. The job was dirty and dangerous, containing a variety of chemical baths filled with cyanide; any acid accidentally added to those baths would have killed me on the spot! My typical day began at 4 PM when I would arrive and take samples of all the chemical baths, then run a variety of tests to determine what chemicals needed to be added to which baths in what quantities (after which I was allowed to do homework as I monitored the underground wastewater treatment plant). It was a tough job but it helped me with my career.
Environmental Project Engineer (August 1991 - November 1994)
Given my new degree and my job experiences from the Air Force, DLA and (especially) Artistic Plating Company, I was hired by the Olin Corporation to help manage a variety of environmental media at the Badger Army Ammunition Plant, a U.S. Army facility that generated black powder and other munitions during wartime. Specifically, I was responsible for stormwater runoff, drinking water, wastewater, the onsite landfill and all underground storage tank operations. To summarize, my job was to keep the plant within all local, state and federal/military rules and regulations, often writing the letters that went back and forth between these organizations and various regulatory entities.