Jennifer Meyer

“When I applied for my first job, I simply wanted to spend more time with friends and make some additional money.  Little did I know, that job, in addition to offering both of those things, would provide an experience that would help me overcome some social anxieties as well as inform my academic career and interests.”

“When I was in high school, my friends convinced me to start working at a local natural attraction as a tour guide.  Being a tour guide had its ups and downs.  It was a liberating experience to be a 16-year old – not even an adult yet – and to be completely responsible for the guests’ safety and conduct while on tour.  However, when guests became unresponsive, slow, or confrontational, this responsibility frustrated me.  Even though these instances proved challenging, I began to look at them as learning experiences.”

“Most importantly, as a tour guide, I learned to use my voice.  This was challenging for me as I tend to be introverted with social anxieties. When I stuck to the typical script of the tour, I found that speaking in front of large groups was no problem.  But when those frustrating instances arose, I wasn’t sure how to address the ill-behaved guests in a respectful manner. Learning to use my own voice in times such as these became a rewarding experience for me.”

“In addition to overcoming some of my social anxieties, I gained a profound appreciation for the natural world.  I became more interested in science and the environment.  My experience working at a natural attraction encouraged me to pursue a minor in geography when I attended university as an undergraduate, and still informs my passion for the environment today.”