It’s good to be back home. After spending four years in central New Hampshire at Plymouth State University, it feels good to be living in the area again. Although I have made trips back to the area to hike and revisit favorite spots and eateries, it’s not quite the same as being immersed in the community. There can be times it’s bittersweet, reminiscing on old times with friends, but those moments are interrupted by new memories being created. There are also differences in the area since I’ve left and returned. New restaurants that are unfamiliar to me, buildings popping up where there used to be nothing, and new work for me to do.
Coming from a business-focused professional background, the world of conservation work is exciting to me with new principles, strategies, and tactics to explore and learn about. After just over a month I have far more knowledge in the field (and related fields) than I ever would have thought possible in such a short amount of time. During my time at Plymouth State I had some exposure to conservation through my Sustainability minor, however here at the Squam Lakes Association we are diving deep. To name just a few things, I’ve learned how to perform trail work, basic tree identification, trail sign routing and wilderness first aid. I know that in the rest of my time here there will be so much more to learn, as there already has been.
Despite having learned so much already, there are still times of self-doubt. Did I make the right choice coming here? Do I really belong in this field? They aren’t daily thoughts, but every now and then they will pop up. All of my fellow service members come from a background in the environmental sciences, where I differ in my business background. At first the differences felt much more prevalent, almost overwhelming at times where I felt like I had no clue what I was doing or what was being talked about. As I’ve spent time serving with the Squam Lakes Association, these moments have become far less frequent as I gain skills and knowledge surrounding conservation and the related fields. What I’ve also come to realize is that our group is a diverse one, and my background in business helps lend a different perspective to our team as well as an opportunity to learn from each other. I can’t say for sure these moments of self-doubt will disappear altogether, but I do know that I’m excited to learn more, gain experience, and enjoy my time serving at the Squam Lakes Association.
Kyle is a full-time member serving at the Squam Lakes Association until August 2022. Kyle brings a unique perspective to the SLA with his degree in Business Administration and Sustainability from Plymouth State. Learn more about Kyle here!