The following guest post was written by Madison, about her internship experience with us this summer.
It is no surprise that the landscape industry has advanced significantly in the last few decades. However, keeping up with these changes, new equipment, and the needs of a specific region can be some of the most difficult parts of learning in this industry. Born and raised in Illinois, I have always wanted to move somewhere tropical and warmer; fortunately, this internship brought me to Austin, Texas for the summer. While the change of climate and scenery has been an exciting opportunity, it came with its own challenges, like learning new plants and irrigation techniques. For the past eight years, and as a Horticulture major at Illinois State University, I wanted to grow plants and that is where I focused my studies. This internship however has provided me with new experiences, and while I tend to stay away from these sometimes-scary opportunities, I instead tackled each one with open arms and learned a lot along the way.
Growing plants is not what Yellowstone Landscape does and I knew this when I accepted the internship. With no prior experience in landscape management, I was worried that this program might be too much to take on, but I was excited for the opportunity to try new equipment and learn new ways of improving the landscape. As the weeks went on, I noticed myself growing more confident on machinery and more comfortable around the crews and with my tasks. At the beginning I was nervous to do more than ask questions, pretty much watching my peers instead of getting my own hands dirty. Since then, I have ran a chainsaw, done plant installations, and learned valuable communication skills in the workplace. I am trusted with the mowers, blowers, weed eaters, and the “Hurricane”. For a woman with no skills in the landscape industry, these experiences have elevated my understanding and confidence in this ever-growing field. Now, I have the confidence to go out with a crew and service a property, use heavy equipment, speak professionally with others, create landscape designs, and the list goes on.
I am grateful for the opportunities and growth that the Yellowstone Internship program has provided through priceless interactions and educational meetings with the incredible members of the Austin Branch. I have been able to grasp what it means to be a landscaper, crew member, irrigation technician, and Account Manager. This internship has shown me that if you are willing to put in the time and dedication you can grow and be successful in this industry. I would not trade what I have learned over these past weeks for anything! I am grateful to experience another aspect of the green industry and see how a career in landscape management might look for me in the future.
My advice to others looking at this industry…you do not need experience if you are willing to learn, work hard and get a little dirty along the way!