The main activities my internship entailed were mowing, mower maintenance; shop inventory; cleaning shop, restrooms, lots, trails; tree felling, pruning, weeding; signage painted, cleaned, created; clearing storm debris; staining benches, fences, and wooden signposts; litter pick up; roadkill disposal at Pickerington Ponds. l also interacted with patrons, encouraging safe public use of all Metroparks.

My understanding of myself and my career aspirations weren’t drastically changed in the internship, but I did confirm my work ethic and interests are aligned with my educational path currently. I was nervous about doing physical labor 40 hours/week in the heat of the summer, but when doing the same taxing work as my coworkers, it pushed me to complete all my assigned tasks to the best of my ability. This physical demand also helped me understand the importance of taking care of yourself outside of office hours in the form of healthy foods, good rest, health checks, and plenty of water.

My understanding regarding the world of Metroparks operations did change, however. While I was aware of some of the roles associated with Metroparks employees, I had little clue to the massive size of the operation- even just in Columbus. The headquarters included jobs I never knew were considered Metropark roles from logistics to marketing and outreach. In talking with my supervisor who is an assistant manager, I began to understand the massive scale at which not only Columbus, but all Metroparks operate at, beyond what patrons see in the parks themselves.

My relationships with my coworkers and superiors, as well as associated interactions, led to my feelings of confirmation for my career goals, and appreciation for the people behind the ‘behind the scenes’. My manager, Shelly, made sure we felt appreciated for our own work, but also helped us consider who makes our jobs easier. Those who ordered equipment to arrive on schedule, worked with politicians to maintain stakeholders to fund our salary, and organized the events we attend or work. The most notable aspect from my interactions with my superiors was the willingness to teach and expand employee’s knowledge as much as they requested, whether within a similar or completely different branch or even location. There was a clear sense of teamwork and collaboration that everyone seemed to practice very well.

Another transformation I noticed was my value of education and inclusiveness regarding youth and their interactions with the natural world. I have had a passion for the outdoors my whole life and in recent years of reflection, I realize how vital and powerfully impactful my childhood experiences in nature were to foster such value and respect for all living things. When I came to The Ohio State University as a freshman in 2020, I had little idea what I wanted my future career to look like. Since my time with the Metroparks, specifically through talking and attending events with naturalist employees, and coming to understand the importance of instilling values in children, I now have a vision for my life after graduation. There are many forms this vision may take, but inspiring youth to spend time in and learn about the living world around them will be a priority no matter the role.

The final transformation worth noting is my capacity for challenges and willingness to learn from mistakes. In my final few weeks at the park, I found myself relatively comfortable with my role and associated tasks. However, my supervisor suggested myself and the other intern switched roles to learn the other’s. While I was upset at first to have to start from square one again, I soon found myself smiling as I was able to complete the unfamiliar tasks. The pride of working through an issue on your own until you solve it is quite recognizable and I grew to desire more challenges. This inspired me to ask my supervisor more about the way things are done around the maintenance shop and why, which in turn led to more conversations and a great working relationship in which I learned more than I ever could have imagined.

The transformation in my understanding and appreciation regarding environmental science occupations and operations is hugely impactful in my own life, both in my career and personal values. I am not just limited to field work, and I learned I can feel fulfilled with jobs that entail difficulties and uncomfort. Also, I am motivated by children in a new way I have never experienced in which I feel responsible to inspire their own appreciation and regard for nature and natural resources. Finally, the relationships made with my coworkers and superiors have provided great insight into ‘real-world’ jobs, as well as healthy working interactions. I hope to continue my work with the conservation-geared government agencies whether this is through national or state parks, or the Metroparks, and I am confident this internship gave me a phenomenal start in my career with them.