Significant Career Lesson From a California State Park Interpreter Naturalist at California State Parks
Michelle, a California State Park Interpreter, identifies adaptability and flexibility as crucial skills in her profession, stating that "if you're not those two things you're probably not gonna do well here." The ability to "mold skills and programs to match the audience" and readily adjust to unexpected events or higher priorities are key to success in the dynamic environment of a state park.
Adaptability, Flexibility, Problem-Solving, Communication, Public Interaction
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Michelle Claassen
California State Park Interpreter (Naturalist)
CA State Parks
Cuesta College and Liberty University
Communications
Climate, Environment, Sustainability & Waste Management, Government & Public Sector
Climate, Environment and Sustainability
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. Adaptability and flexibility are crucial for success in this career.
2. Be prepared to adjust your plans and tasks based on the needs of your audience or unexpected situations.
3. Strong adaptability and flexibility skills may not be fully developed initially, but can be learned and refined on the job.
Transcript
What is one lesson you've learned that has proven significant in your career?
I think the biggest lesson I learned that has helped me in a big way is just being adaptable. I've talked about this a little bit before, being adaptable.
Adaptable and being flexible. Because if you're not those two things, you're probably not going to do well here. Adaptable in the sense of molding your skills and programs to match the audience in front of you.
And flexible in the sense of never knowing what is going to pop up. You might be asked to help with something, or even the public might ask you questions. You have to set aside your tasks for the day.
Something more high-priority has popped up. So, for myself, learning to be flexible and then adaptable—which I don't think I really had those skills perfected before—I really, um, had this job for a few years.
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