Emma McKillip: Serve Learn Earn Program Alumna

Meet Emma McKillip, Emma leveraged a VYCC Crew Leader position to qualify for an Audubon Youth Conservation Leadership Internship, acquiring skills through both positions she indicates help her navigate her workday with confidence.

The Conservation program at VYCC is one example of the many programs offered through SLE that provide participants with pathways to jobs in conservation, the trades and sustainable agriculture. From career exploration for high school youth to advanced positions that build both advanced technical and leadership skills, SLE programs offer work-based learning opportunities that provide entry to in-demand jobs with higher wages for youth, to career advancement for young adults and recent post-secondary graduates, as well as opportunities for older adults to transition into higher paying jobs in the trades. SLE has programs for individuals of all ages and stages of their career journey.  

Emma reflected back on the early days of her job search here in Vermont. “I was looking for jobs and applying, but there is not a wide variety of entry level positions in this [conservation] field. So, having these programs that are specifically designed as entry level to actually get my feet underneath me in Vermont and make those connections and get that experience here, I think is it's going to be the leg up that I need to get a more permanent position in in the state”. 

“I am proud of the way I was able to grow as a person”.  

Emma, Kettle Pond State Park, restoration project

Participants like Emma who complete SLE Conservation/Forestry programs, earn and learn while they serve Vermont communities through conservation projects related to Vermont’s outdoor recreation economy, wildlife preservation, water quality and climate resilience. Emma’s crew was one of VYCC’s Parks Restoration Crews, partnered with staff from Vermont’s department of Forest, Parks and Recreation (FPR) to repair and build structures and infrastructure in state owned parks and campgrounds across Vermont.  “We re-roofed lean to's and bath houses, built some boardwalks and we helped with some flood recovery efforts after the flood in July (2024)”.  

Initially, hesitant at being offered a Conservation Crew Leader position at VYCC, Emma described how the extensive training she completed prior to the arrival of her crew, from technical stills, using power saws and drills, to earning her Wilderness First Aid credential to leadership skills training, that included crew dynamics, conflict resolution, and having tough conversations, shifted her perspective. “Before VYCC, I didn't really consider myself a leader and I was nervous about being a crew leader, especially because we were going to be in the woods and working on pretty intense projects. But, as I went through the training, I really grew into the role and I am proud of the way I was able to grow as a person. It was a hard job, but it changed the way I approach things in work and in day to day life”.  

Puncheon installed by Emma’s VYCC Conservation Crew, Burton Island State Park

We also talked with Emma about the service aspect of SLE positions. Emma’s face lit up as she spoke about service as a VYCC conservation crew leader. “With VYCC, it felt like the whole season was service, we had the opportunity to work in campgrounds and outdoor public spaces. It was cool to be doing work that helped support people getting outdoors and making spaces more comfortable and accessible to people, but to also be able to talk to those people about what we were doing.”  

Mentorship is a key component of quality service-based learning experiences, and we asked Emma about the importance of mentorship for her as she grew into her role as a conservation crew leader. Emma described her mentor, Katie as ‘awesome’. “Having her as a check in person and someone to talk through stuff with was invaluable. She had been through everything that I had been through. She was, like, imperative to getting through the season and navigating situations. She urged me to make confident decisions even if it was hard and I'm really grateful for that advice. I learned so much that can be brought to any other job that I do, the leadership skills, the teamwork skills, the problem-solving skills. Those are all transferable to every other day of my life and I think that they're what helped me get my current job at Audubon, Vermont.”   

Celebrating it’s 40th anniversary in 2025, VYCC has a long-standing history of stewarding Vermont lands in partnership with FPR, small municipally owned and privately-owned parks and outdoor spaces. The iconic VYCC logo is recognized far and wide across Vermont. Emma recounted her firsthand experience learning about the deep roots VYCC has in the hearts of Vermonters. “We were working in Groton State Forest for most of our season and we had a weekly tradition of going to the Marshfield Village store for creemees right after work. We'd be wearing our VYCC shirts and so many people would come up to us, ask us about what we were working on and tell us about their experience with VYCC. “I've worked there, my partner worked there, my kids have worked there, or, you guys did a project at my favorite state park. It was just so cool to be a part of an organization that has touched so many lives across Vermont. It really made the service aspect feel like it was part of this bigger picture of the way that VYCC helps get people outdoors in Vermont.”  

Emma with Audubon Vermont staff, during their annual Bird-a-Thon

The ability of participants to move between organizations in the SLE collaborative is another example of the collective impact of SLE. Participants can continue building their skill set or earn additional industry recognized credentials as they pursue career advancement.  After completing her term as a conservation crew leader at VYCC, Emma was able to leverage her BA, her prior experience as an outdoor educator and her VYCC leadership experience to qualify for a Youth Conservation Leadership Internship (YCLI) at Audubon Vermont.  

Internships at Audubon Vermont focus on service to career pathways for post-secondary students or recent graduates seeking to build their technical and professional resume, as well as a network of professional connections in conservation, education or policy. “My role at Audubon is very education and outreach focused. I get to work with high schoolers, doing education projects. I'm creating my own lesson plans now about areas that I'm interested in. Through VYCC and now Audubon, I've had invaluable experiences as an early career professional”.  

Highlighting the importance of the continuum of workforce development programs offered through SLE; Emma shared that landing a professional, year-round position with benefits is challenging in Vermont. Individuals need those post BA, early professional development experiences to be competitive in Vermont’s professional job market. Nurturing the careers of the future leaders in conservation, sustainable agriculture, environmental policy and climate resilience requires service to career pathways that meet individuals where they are and helps them build skills for the career they’re working toward.

Emma teaching wildlife tracking, at Audubon Vermont

Thanks for talking with us Emma, and best of luck on the next step in your career!