Dear Us, the Millennial Generation:
As Kid President would say, "I'm talking to you… yeah you!" We are the Millennial Generation, defined as those born after 1980, who have come to age in the new millennium (Pew Research). Statistics show that we are the most confident, connected, most ethnically and racially diverse and possible on our way to being the most educated generation in history (Pew Research). As awesome as we are, we also have our downfalls.
Studies have shown that we are all these things along with being the most over-parented generation of all time (Pew Research). Is this because we've lived through terrorist attacks, massive gun shootings in schools, malls, theaters and grocery store parking lots? Or is it because we no longer know our neighbors, have block parties and therefore cannot trust anyone? We do indeed have great confidence, but why? Is it because we, as Bruce Tulgan (2009) states in his book, have always gotten a trophy even when we didn't win first place? Why bruise our tender egos, just give us a trophy to build our confidence… that wouldn't create any backlash in the future, right? I'm not too sure of it.
Here's my theory - we are the most educated generation in history, whether by choice of continuing our education or by forcing ourselves back to school because we can't get a job and our parents, who most continue to live with, keep yelling at us because we sit at home hoping to get that awesome job we went to college for. Because we are the most educated, we believe we should come out of college with the $50k+ job we were promised in our 4-5 years of working towards receiving our Bachelors degree, despite the fact that we only have 1-2 years at minimum of "real world" life experience at best. We believe that we are equal to those generations before us that have put in years of hard work to get to where they are at and that we should just walk into their job without putting in any blood, sweat or tears into it. Unfortunately, this isn't the reality we live in.
We may be the most educated generation, but studies show that we do not have the same work or moral ethic than generations before us (Pew Research). We feel entitled to the jobs that we do not yet deserve. Getting our "dream job" just does not happen! It's time to realize, Millennial Generation, we are not entitled. It takes thousands of hours of hard work, passion, the need for continual education, on-the-job training, a handful of great mentors and individuals who will fight for you and stand by you. We have to build meaningful relationships, believe in the work we do and set goals to attain that Everlasting Gobstopper known as our "dream job." Out of everything we do, we have to be responsible for our own selves by applying to those jobs that will get our foot in the door. We have to start at the bottom and work our way up, just like everyone has had to, despite our many degrees. And most of all, we have to stop posting every bit of whining and ranting on our employers and future employers on social media sites - hiring officials do research on potential employees and will see your Facebook, Google+, Twitter, and the other sites you're on, so don't do it!
Remember this, yes we are the most educated, crazy awesome generation but we are not entitled to anything. We are no longer children who will get a trophy just for participating . "We've got air coming though our nose, a heart beat…. get up and do something!," Kid President. Work hard, play hard and get things done!
Sources:
Pew Research: Social & Demographic Trends. Millennials: Confident. Connected. Open to Change. http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2010/02/24/millennials-confident-connected-open-to-change/
Bruce Tulgan. 2009. "Not Everyone Gets a Trophy." http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/not-everyone-gets-a-trophy-bruce-tulgan/1112034818
Pep Talk. Kid President. http://youtu.be/l-gQLqv9f4o
Monday, February 25, 2013
Friday, February 22, 2013
Back to it...
It sure has been a while… a little more than a year to be exact that I haven't written in my blog. In the past year, exciting things have risen. Youth programs continue to run strong in Grand Teton and we've even developed new programs like "Class of 2016". I am now engaged to my best friend and love, Juan Martinez! If you haven't heard of Juan, I encourage you to check out one of his videos or google him. He's a cool guy. :)
I recently arrived back to the Tetons from a 3 month temporary opportunity in Washington, DC. While in DC, I served as a Program Analyst for the Department of Interior Youth, Partnership and Services Office. It was there that I learned about writing policy, working with all the bureaus under DOI and all the politics of working in Washington. Great things are going on in regards to youth, diversity and veterans within the Department. Check out the www.youthgo.gov website.
Working in Washington, DC was an eye opening experience. It was there I realized in whatever my next steps are in my career, I want to continue to be involved in working with youth and on relevancy, diversity and inclusion issues in the NPS. The National Park Service is an agency that I believe in… I bleed green and gray and the work that we are all doing to continue connecting children and diverse communities to nature and THEIR national parks.
I recently arrived back to the Tetons from a 3 month temporary opportunity in Washington, DC. While in DC, I served as a Program Analyst for the Department of Interior Youth, Partnership and Services Office. It was there that I learned about writing policy, working with all the bureaus under DOI and all the politics of working in Washington. Great things are going on in regards to youth, diversity and veterans within the Department. Check out the www.youthgo.gov website.
Working in Washington, DC was an eye opening experience. It was there I realized in whatever my next steps are in my career, I want to continue to be involved in working with youth and on relevancy, diversity and inclusion issues in the NPS. The National Park Service is an agency that I believe in… I bleed green and gray and the work that we are all doing to continue connecting children and diverse communities to nature and THEIR national parks.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
A Fallen Ranger
January 1st, New Year's Day is supposed to be full of joy and celebration for the new year and spent with family and/or friends. This January 1st, 2012, Ranger Margaret Anderson of Mount Ranier National Park apprehended a suspect who had not stopped at a chain-up inspection stop. This stop was her last. Anderson was shot and killed by the suspect. Word spread quickly of the murder of Ranger Anderson throughout the National Park Service within hours of the shooting.
Those of you who know me, know that I say often that when you join the NPS, you become part of a big family. You may not know those that work in other park units or even all of those in uniform in your own park, but they are still a part of you, a part of the mission of the park. You know what these rangers go through day in and day out, including the struggles and joys of the job. We don't do our job for the money but for the joy we get out of working with people and fulfilling the mission of the park and the NPS at large.
Although I did not know Margaret, I share an office with my park's law enforcement and this is a great loss to our NPS family. Thinking of Mt. Ranier's loss makes me appreciate the time that we have been given on this Earth, to treasure friends and family and never ever take anything for granted. We will all continue to do our jobs knowing that there are risks associated with each and every job in the NPS, some much more than others. I will continue to follow my passion and work to honor the lives of all our fallen rangers.
May Ranger Margaret Anderson rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers are with Margaret's family (her husband Eric and two young kids), her NPS family and all her friends.
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/01/01/1965682/ranger-shot-at-mount-rainier.html
Those of you who know me, know that I say often that when you join the NPS, you become part of a big family. You may not know those that work in other park units or even all of those in uniform in your own park, but they are still a part of you, a part of the mission of the park. You know what these rangers go through day in and day out, including the struggles and joys of the job. We don't do our job for the money but for the joy we get out of working with people and fulfilling the mission of the park and the NPS at large.
Although I did not know Margaret, I share an office with my park's law enforcement and this is a great loss to our NPS family. Thinking of Mt. Ranier's loss makes me appreciate the time that we have been given on this Earth, to treasure friends and family and never ever take anything for granted. We will all continue to do our jobs knowing that there are risks associated with each and every job in the NPS, some much more than others. I will continue to follow my passion and work to honor the lives of all our fallen rangers.
May Ranger Margaret Anderson rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers are with Margaret's family (her husband Eric and two young kids), her NPS family and all her friends.
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/01/01/1965682/ranger-shot-at-mount-rainier.html
Friday, November 11, 2011
Fort Washakie kids
This week, I was invited by Teton Science Schools to interact with students from Ft. Washakie Charter School. Ft. Washakie is located on the Wind River Indian Reservation. Tribes include Northern Arapahoe and Eastern Shoshone. I went out to the Kelly campus on Wednesday to prepare fry bread dough for dinner the next night. Having lived on the Navajo Reservation for a number of months during the summer of 2007 while working at Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site I was excited to share "my" Navajo and Mexican-American culture with them, as well as learn about their culture. During my time on the rez I was taken in by Navajo friends and became part of their family. I was taught a little of the language, I was invited to ceremonies and taught how to cook the native way, especially fry bread. I was adopted by the Navajo and told that I was now Navajo and Mexican. Preparing fry bread dough with the students, I was able to learn how their families make the dough and about their culture. I learned that the students were a mixture of N. Arapahoe, E. Shoshone, Cheyenne, Navajo and Mexican.
On Thursday evening, I went back to campus to help the students flatten out the dough before having the cook fry it. They taught me how to master flattening the dough without the use of a rolling pin, the native way. After finishing up the dough, I was invited to hang out with them. In total, there were 15 high school students. I looked on as they played cards, hacky sack and listened to music. Slowly students began coming in. As they came in they saw my unfamiliar face so they approached and asked who I was.
One girl in particular, Alicia Sanchez - half Mexican and half Arapahoe grew up on the rez. She was stuck between two cultures. I had been warned about Alicia's fiestiness the day before by the students that I made fry bread with, so was ready to meet her. Alicia came up with an attitude and pretty significant Spanish accent, "Who are you?" she stated. I said, "I'm Vanessa, I'm a Park Ranger with Grand Teton." Alicia sat next to me not saying a word. Then out of nowhere she said, "Are you Mexican, or what!?" With a smirk across my face I shook my head, yes, to answer her question. "What are you I said?" That's when I found out about Alicia being part Mexican and Arapahoe. I interacted with all the other students, learning about their culture, their stories and how they have grown up but Alicia and I had a strong connection.
Alicia, angry about the cards life had handed her, told mer about her family. She recently lost her brother in a motorcycle accident. "In my family," she said, "all the boys go to the pen (prison) and the girls have kids." As I sat and listened to her, I began to think about the other students in the room. Has their life been similar to Alicia's? I looked at Alicia in the eyes and said, "If that's the life that you have grown up in, what are you going to do to make yours different?" She stared at me in silence and said, "No, I want to go to school." I smiled and told her that I was proud of her committment to change her path. Despite her rough life, she has pushed through and is ready to take on the world and make a difference.
After eating Indian tacos for dinner, we gathered into the main lodge to listen students present their research projects on water quality. After presentations and a slideshow of pictures from their week, we all stood in a circle toe to toe to offer each other thanks. Students slowly thanked their instructors and teachers for giving them this opportunity. They thanked each other for supporting each other throughout the week. Lastly, a few students thanked me for "supporting our culture", "for listening to our stories" and "for coming out and making fry bread." As we broke up the circle, students came and gave me a hug, thanking me for what I do. Alicia pulled me aside, gave me a hug and said, "Thank you for listening to me. I've never had a connection with another Mexican before." and then gave me another big hug and walked away.
No one will ever understand the feeling of changing a life until you have done it. There is a sense of accomplishment and gratification but words can't describe that feeling. I absolutely love the work I do and the different students from all cutlural backgrounds that I have the opportunity to interact with. This is the beginning of my relationship with the Wind River Rez, as I have been invited to visit the school to talk about career opportunities for students with the NPS.
Keep on, keepin' on!
On Thursday evening, I went back to campus to help the students flatten out the dough before having the cook fry it. They taught me how to master flattening the dough without the use of a rolling pin, the native way. After finishing up the dough, I was invited to hang out with them. In total, there were 15 high school students. I looked on as they played cards, hacky sack and listened to music. Slowly students began coming in. As they came in they saw my unfamiliar face so they approached and asked who I was.
One girl in particular, Alicia Sanchez - half Mexican and half Arapahoe grew up on the rez. She was stuck between two cultures. I had been warned about Alicia's fiestiness the day before by the students that I made fry bread with, so was ready to meet her. Alicia came up with an attitude and pretty significant Spanish accent, "Who are you?" she stated. I said, "I'm Vanessa, I'm a Park Ranger with Grand Teton." Alicia sat next to me not saying a word. Then out of nowhere she said, "Are you Mexican, or what!?" With a smirk across my face I shook my head, yes, to answer her question. "What are you I said?" That's when I found out about Alicia being part Mexican and Arapahoe. I interacted with all the other students, learning about their culture, their stories and how they have grown up but Alicia and I had a strong connection.
Alicia, angry about the cards life had handed her, told mer about her family. She recently lost her brother in a motorcycle accident. "In my family," she said, "all the boys go to the pen (prison) and the girls have kids." As I sat and listened to her, I began to think about the other students in the room. Has their life been similar to Alicia's? I looked at Alicia in the eyes and said, "If that's the life that you have grown up in, what are you going to do to make yours different?" She stared at me in silence and said, "No, I want to go to school." I smiled and told her that I was proud of her committment to change her path. Despite her rough life, she has pushed through and is ready to take on the world and make a difference.
After eating Indian tacos for dinner, we gathered into the main lodge to listen students present their research projects on water quality. After presentations and a slideshow of pictures from their week, we all stood in a circle toe to toe to offer each other thanks. Students slowly thanked their instructors and teachers for giving them this opportunity. They thanked each other for supporting each other throughout the week. Lastly, a few students thanked me for "supporting our culture", "for listening to our stories" and "for coming out and making fry bread." As we broke up the circle, students came and gave me a hug, thanking me for what I do. Alicia pulled me aside, gave me a hug and said, "Thank you for listening to me. I've never had a connection with another Mexican before." and then gave me another big hug and walked away.
No one will ever understand the feeling of changing a life until you have done it. There is a sense of accomplishment and gratification but words can't describe that feeling. I absolutely love the work I do and the different students from all cutlural backgrounds that I have the opportunity to interact with. This is the beginning of my relationship with the Wind River Rez, as I have been invited to visit the school to talk about career opportunities for students with the NPS.
Keep on, keepin' on!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
"We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community... " -Cesar Chavez
This weekend I had the opportunity to do two amazing things. 1) I spent Friday and Saturday with four amazing young ladies from the local high school who have decided to commit a year of their lives to the Young Stewards & Leaders (YSL) program. YSL is the newest program that I developed. In short, YSL is a conservation leadership program that will focus on building on these high school students leadership skills and raise awarness about their community. The students (6 total) will learn about environmental/conservation issues in Jackson and how they are affecting the community and surrounding areas. Students will aid in developing the program by having input in every aspect of it, from the speakers series to the project they have to develop and present. Students will learn skills that will help them in the future in their academic and professional careers. These participants are our future, they realize that and I look forward to working with them this year.
On Sunday, I attended my 1st TEDx talk. I attended primarily to see my friend Juan Martinez speak and before this I had never heard of TED. I'm glad I know about it now. As I sat and listened to Juan speak about his experience that brought him to where he is at now, one thing stuck out to me the most. Juan said, "I do this for my family." It was then with tears in my eyes that I realized that this is why I do my work as well. I do it for my family. Not only for my immediate family, who I try to make proud of me in any way possible but for "family" in the broad sense. We are all family... in everything we do to work towards our future, to prepare the next generation with the tools to make the right decisions and connect them to their public lands in order for agencies like the NPS to stay relevant. My parents will always be proud of me for what I have accomplished thus far. My grandma, despite her thinking that I live in a cabin in the woods like Henry David Thoreau and should move back to TX to work at a bank (because to her being a teller is the ultimate success), I know she is proud of me. The work that I do and my story will never change the world but hopefully these students that I get to work with will be inspired enough to carry my work forward and working together we can make all the difference!
"We need to help students and parents cherish and preserve the ethnic and cultural diversity that nourishes and strengthens this community - and this nation."
Cesar Chavez
Roosevelt Arch - "For the Benefit and Enjoyment of the People"
On Sunday, I attended my 1st TEDx talk. I attended primarily to see my friend Juan Martinez speak and before this I had never heard of TED. I'm glad I know about it now. As I sat and listened to Juan speak about his experience that brought him to where he is at now, one thing stuck out to me the most. Juan said, "I do this for my family." It was then with tears in my eyes that I realized that this is why I do my work as well. I do it for my family. Not only for my immediate family, who I try to make proud of me in any way possible but for "family" in the broad sense. We are all family... in everything we do to work towards our future, to prepare the next generation with the tools to make the right decisions and connect them to their public lands in order for agencies like the NPS to stay relevant. My parents will always be proud of me for what I have accomplished thus far. My grandma, despite her thinking that I live in a cabin in the woods like Henry David Thoreau and should move back to TX to work at a bank (because to her being a teller is the ultimate success), I know she is proud of me. The work that I do and my story will never change the world but hopefully these students that I get to work with will be inspired enough to carry my work forward and working together we can make all the difference!
"We need to help students and parents cherish and preserve the ethnic and cultural diversity that nourishes and strengthens this community - and this nation."
Cesar Chavez
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Brooklyn Kids
On Tuesday, I heard about this group from The Murie Center and asked if there was any opportunity for me to speak to the boys. Tonight I was invited to speak to a group of ten 13-14 year old boys from Brooklyn, NY that spent the past four days at The Murie Center. This was probably the most diverse group of students I had every spoken to. These boys were chosen by their school to come out to experience Grand Teton National Park and the unique resource that it holds. The boys spent the week hiking, floating the river, spending a day in Yellowstone National Park and doing fence removal outside the park.
After a quick dinner of bison burgers, potatoe salad and brownies we all gathered around the fire and began our conversation. My purpose for coming to speak was to get the boys thinking about what they learned this week, how they are going to take it back to New York and how they are going to share their legacy with others. A difficult conversation to have at any age, the students took on the challenge and after some hesitation began to share their thoughts on these topics. These boys addressed challenges that they will face when they return home and how they will overcome these challenges. Many of the boys agreed that they must start leaving their legacy through small efforts of raising awareness about conservation and the environment while encouraging their peers and others to take time to visit parks, state and national, in their backyard. I was amazed at the maturity, intellect and respect that the boys had for each other and this new experience that they have had. I was honored to have spent the evening with such amazing students. Brooklyn watch out... you've got a group of boys that are about to raise awareness about national parks and conservation one person at a time!
After a quick dinner of bison burgers, potatoe salad and brownies we all gathered around the fire and began our conversation. My purpose for coming to speak was to get the boys thinking about what they learned this week, how they are going to take it back to New York and how they are going to share their legacy with others. A difficult conversation to have at any age, the students took on the challenge and after some hesitation began to share their thoughts on these topics. These boys addressed challenges that they will face when they return home and how they will overcome these challenges. Many of the boys agreed that they must start leaving their legacy through small efforts of raising awareness about conservation and the environment while encouraging their peers and others to take time to visit parks, state and national, in their backyard. I was amazed at the maturity, intellect and respect that the boys had for each other and this new experience that they have had. I was honored to have spent the evening with such amazing students. Brooklyn watch out... you've got a group of boys that are about to raise awareness about national parks and conservation one person at a time!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
All for the people...
As I am in the midst of my first week without the NPS Academy students, I am able to reminsce on the the spring and summer that has quickly flown by. I have learned so much from ALL of the Academy interns, much more than they will probably ever know. Their enthusiasm and respect for everything that they do makes me realize that the countless hours were invested into the creation and oversight of this program will be paid forward. The legacy that these students have already left behind will forever impact the parks that they have worked at and I look forward to the legacy that they will continue to put forth in their community and schools.
One thing that I have continuously told students is that although great opportunities come to us with them they lies a great responsibility. As minorities, everything we do will either break or build those connections for others in our shoes. Just as everyone else, we stand on the shoulders of those that came before us. This week, I was fortunate enough to listen to Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar speak at our park. In admist of all the running around that he did from an employee talk, press conference and spoke with the park partners I was able to snag a picture and introduce myself. Ken Salazar, a 5th generation Latino Coloradoan is one of those shoulders that I stand on. An accomplished man, I expected nothing more than a handshake but he took the time to ask me about my job and where I was from. As I told him where I was from and the youth engagement and outreach work that I do for the park a smile crossed his face and he gave me a big hug and thanked me for all the work I do for our youth. I was humbled by such gratitude from a man in his position. I was proud to do the work that I do for all the youth locally and across the country.
Another two people that I stand alongside with in all this work are both doing work in California. These two gentlemen I met at a training on youth engagement and was truly impressed and inspired by them. Juan Martinez, rock star Latino conservationist and Ernesto Pepito, an all-time inspiration are both people that join me in doing youth engagement and diversity outreach work. When I think about all the people that conduct this type of work and inspire young students across the country I know our future is in good hands. I look forward to working and seeing Juan and Ernesto in the coming months as they travel to Grand Teton National Park to spread the wealth of their talents and inspiration with our community and students of my upcoming program.
Thanks to all those that work on youth engagement and continue to leave a legacy and be shoulders that others will stand on in the future.
Changing Lives, One Youth at a Time - Vanessa Torres, Julie Fonseca de Borges, Ernesto Pepito and Julie Chavez Rodriguez
One thing that I have continuously told students is that although great opportunities come to us with them they lies a great responsibility. As minorities, everything we do will either break or build those connections for others in our shoes. Just as everyone else, we stand on the shoulders of those that came before us. This week, I was fortunate enough to listen to Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar speak at our park. In admist of all the running around that he did from an employee talk, press conference and spoke with the park partners I was able to snag a picture and introduce myself. Ken Salazar, a 5th generation Latino Coloradoan is one of those shoulders that I stand on. An accomplished man, I expected nothing more than a handshake but he took the time to ask me about my job and where I was from. As I told him where I was from and the youth engagement and outreach work that I do for the park a smile crossed his face and he gave me a big hug and thanked me for all the work I do for our youth. I was humbled by such gratitude from a man in his position. I was proud to do the work that I do for all the youth locally and across the country.
Another two people that I stand alongside with in all this work are both doing work in California. These two gentlemen I met at a training on youth engagement and was truly impressed and inspired by them. Juan Martinez, rock star Latino conservationist and Ernesto Pepito, an all-time inspiration are both people that join me in doing youth engagement and diversity outreach work. When I think about all the people that conduct this type of work and inspire young students across the country I know our future is in good hands. I look forward to working and seeing Juan and Ernesto in the coming months as they travel to Grand Teton National Park to spread the wealth of their talents and inspiration with our community and students of my upcoming program.
Thanks to all those that work on youth engagement and continue to leave a legacy and be shoulders that others will stand on in the future.
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