Kirby-Lynn Shedlowski
National Park Service–Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
"If I don’t know what I am doing, then I will figure it out. I’m not going to not do something just because there is a question of, “Can I?” I can. And I will."
Career Roadmap
Kirby-Lynn's work combines: Environment & Nature, Non-Profit Organizations, and Communicating / Sharing Stories
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
I've always been my harshest critic, but I was raised with the belief that you can do anything and I truly believe that.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Political Science and Government, General
Washington College
Bachelor's Degree
Anthropology, General
Washington College
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
She was born in Seoul, South Korea to an unmarried mother—this was a big taboo in Korean culture, so her mother gave her up for adoption.
2.
Was in foster care in South Korea for a year before she was adopted by an American family—moved to Pennsylvania and grew up in the Pocono Mountains.
3.
Started working for the National Park Service in high school as a volunteer—two years later, they hired her as part of a student employment program and she worked for them all through college.
4.
After graduating from college, she admits she struggled with the idea of starting her career and being on her own because she didn’t really know what she wanted to do.
5.
The National Park Service ended up offering her a full-time position in Maryland, so she accepted—she’s been working for them for the last 15 years.
6.
She has worked in a variety of positions within the Park Service, but she really found her passion while working as a public information officer during the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
7.
After working on the East Coast in a “cubicle farm” as a management assistant, she was ready for a change; when an opportunity to transfer to Grand Canyon National Park opened up, she grabbed it.
8.
She now works as the public affairs officer and acts as public spokeswoman for the Grand Canyon; says, “It’s the job I never knew I always wanted.”
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Myself:
I can't believe they hired me. What were they thinking?
How I responded:
I've always been my harshest critic, but I was raised with the belief that you can do anything and I truly believe that.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
Was adopted from South Korea by a white American family. Grew up in a predominately white community, so I always stood out.
As a child, I was made fun of for being Asian because I grew up predominately in a white community where there wasn't a lot of diversity.
Being raised by a white family in a very white community, created a conflict of identity. Outwardly I look Asian, but inwardly I don't always feel that way, which causes a lot of struggles and confusion.