I never knew helping people learn about the world around them could be a career until my experience as an intern at Shaver’s Creek.
Years at Shaver’s Creek: 2001
Positions Held: Intern
Current Company/Organization: Kamin Science Center
Currently, I’m the director of public & community programming at Kamin (formerly Carnegie) Science Center. My team develops and leads programs for learners of all ages, from pre-K summer camps to adult programs.
I was always interested in nature and science, and I assumed my career would be in the lab or conducting biological field work. I took a semester off, waiting for a required course to come around, and secured an internship at Shaver’s Creek. I had worked at my council Scout camp and loved it, but I never realized that informal education was a real career path.
My internship shaped my life in uncountable ways, but the most crucial part of my experience was the people. Having Doug, Ellen, and the rest of the staff as mentors was transformative and I cannot express with words how grateful I am that they invested their time and attention in us interns. And I look forward to my annual return for the Birding Cup with my co-intern Brian (go Kickers!).
I will always be connected to this place, even if I’m separated by mountains and rivers and stars. It’s part of me.