Accolades, awards and everything in between

In 2006, I started my seasonal career in the park service.  When I became a permanent Park Guide in 2008, I quickly realized two things- I'd have to work twice as hard and be twice as accurate in my job to get any recognition beyond my supervisor.  It wasn't only because if the color of my skin but because of my uterus, my breast- being a woman.   Now the NPS has come a long way from the "good ol' boys" club, but they still have a long ways to go in regards to woman and diversity.

The second thing I realized is that there is a prime in your career that you'll get recognized by others that'll reap rewards and accolades.  That prime is when you're in the field, on the ground making instrumental change to the lives of others or leading research.   I've passed my prime, I worked six years in the field building programs to introduce youth and families of diverse background to a park in their own backyard.  I worked to build a program with a group of amazing partners to introduce students of diverse background to careers in the NPS.

Now, as a program manager in a regional office, I will not be recognized for the work I do, but let's be honest, budgets and writing policy and guidance don't get recognition. 😝.  I've passed my prime.

I didn't come into the NPS or continue my work to get accolades or awards of any sort, I came in to make a difference, "change lives" one person or group at a time.  I've worked with amazing, bright, up and coming youth whom, because of the experiences they've had in the programs I've built or helped build are on a path to working with NPS or making a difference in conservation today.   They are the now, our future, my legacy.

Yesterday, I met a young man who worked in my past park this summer.  He worked with a group of students of the program I developed there.  When I told him the work I had done in this park, his eyes lit up and he grabbed my hand and said, "thank you!  Working with those students, my first group of youth to work with, changed my life.  I've never met such a group of smart young people before!"  At that moment, that was my accolade, my recognition and award, that a program that I built is continuing to change the lives of young people across the country.

I write this, not to pat myself on the back, but to say to all those folks doing great work from the field, up to the halls of regional offices and Interior, our work makes a difference.  We continue to change lives and make instrumental change. We are needed. Keep fighting the good fight!