Park Ranger Matthew Slawiak

Park Service Profiles

Ranger Matthew Slawiak grew up in Buffalo, New York. He received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the State University of New York at Buffalo. After working for the Department of Social Services, Slawiak told himself he need a career change. He ended up landing a job, after driving 14 hours from Buffalo for his interview, at Hickory Knob State Resort Park. And so began his career in the South Carolina State Park Service!

After working at Hickory Knob, Slawiak moved on to Baker Creek State Park and finally to Aiken State Park, where he is currently a ranger. At Aiken, Slawiak is tasked with everything from cutting fallen trees over the Edisto River to interacting with guests. He says he tries to “provide the best customer service and hospitality I can.” Slawiak says the most satisfying part of his job is hearing guests say, “This is a very nice park.” Of all the parks he has worked at, Slawiak says Hickory Knob is his favorite. He enjoyed all the facilities the park had to offer. Slawiak says he would encourage other people to become park rangers as well, as he has enjoyed his time as a park ranger so far.

We always ask our Park Service Profiles to sum up their job in one phrase, and Slawiak quoted Aiken State Park Manager Robert Mahoney: “Welcome to Aiken!” Thank you, Ranger Slawiak, for your work with the South Carolina State Park Service!