I am 33 years old and I am starting over! I’ve never been one of those people who has a driving passion that informs the rest of my life. I didn’t know what I wanted to be when I “grew up” so I took the path that seemed to make sense for me and I became an accountant. 10 years went by and I found myself feeling the same discontent with my career that I seemed to face with every job I held, and it felt like it was time to do something about it. In 2022 I quit my job, returned to community college, and started pursuing a natural resources program. By the end of the year I had completed my certificate program, applied for several jobs in the field, and was eager to figure out what was next for me.

My internship through the MANO Project is in Education and Community Outreach at Eldorado Canyon State Park (ECSP), which means that I get to teach and reach the park’s diverse population of visitors about the natural resources that I love so much. Park visitors range in age, experience, ethnic group, affinity, etc., and my job is to authentically create a welcoming environment for everyone through educational tools, outreach, unique programming, individual discussion, and more. One of my favorite things about going back to school was coming home and sharing all the new things I learned with my boyfriend, my family, my friends, my co-workers, really anyone who would listen! In my new position I am fortunate enough to be able to do that same thing as a paying job for a span of visitors who are seeking a deeper connection with the outdoors.

One of my biggest motivators for getting into the natural resources field was to help create a more inclusive and accessible experience for everyone who wants to enjoy time outside. When I moved to Colorado from the east coast, I didn’t truly understand the outdoor
culture of the state and it felt very exclusive and prohibitive to me as a beginner. Over the last 10 years of living here, I slowly acclimated and found avenues to explore new-to-me activities like hiking, camping, climbing, and snowboarding. I’ve also found personal resources for learning more about the richness of our landscapes and how to care for them from volunteering on trail maintenance and habitat restoration projects to following Leave No Trace principles. As a seasoned recreationist and caretaker of my state’s natural resources, my personal goal now is to meet people where they are, no matter their experience level, cultural background, or education level.

Leaving my decade-long career was a scary decision that I regularly questioned and doubted for myself. Barely a month and a half into my internship though, I am affirmed that all of the upheaval and fear has been worth it. Every day I am excited to show up for work and spend
my day in a gorgeous canyon. I’ve already had countless opportunities to help people who use different languages, people from different countries, and people of all ages. The season has barely gotten started, but I have already made contributions towards future programming and inclusive education at the park. I am experiencing an energy and joy at work that I'm not sure I've ever felt before. 10 years ago my young accountant self would have never guessed this is where I’d end up, and it’s been a really exciting endeavor to get here.