By Tess Henderson
If summer of 2025 Tess had been able to tell summer of 2024 Tess that she would spend that next summer working and living in a national park, across the country from her hometown nonetheless, she would have simply thought it was some type of unrealistic fever dream.
A year ago I was working a corporate, steady, 9-5 office job that was in my college degree field. Although I was comfortable with my post-grad circumstances, there was always a part of me that longed to veer off the “traditional” path and seek out the type of experience that I would be enthusiastically telling my grandchildren about decades later.
As I hit the one year mark at my job in summer of 2024, the itch to begin a new type of adventure started becoming strong enough that I would casually search for seasonal jobs here and there in national parks and think to myself, “How cool, but I just don’t think that could be me.”
I eventually stumbled across a job posting to work seasonally with the Glacier National Park Conservancy, and I instantly knew I had to at the very least apply to work there the upcoming summer. As I began to further research Glacier National Park along with the mission of the Conservancy, I subconsciously agreed that if I was afforded the opportunity to work for the summer there, I would have to say yes, no matter the doubts and fear I had.
Glacier’s beauty seemed right out of a fairy tale, and I began to have hope that I would become a small part of its story. A few emails and phone calls with the Conservancy later, I began planning out the dream of working in Glacier, as it was no longer just a dream, but it became my reality.
Fast forward to the present day and as I reflect on my summer in Glacier, I am in complete awe of the scenery witnessed, growth made, and knowledge I have gained this season. Before this summer, I had never hiked more than 5 or so miles at a time and certainly not by myself. I have now ended the season with a 16 mile solo hike that included what is arguably one of the best views in the entire park.
My off day activities included polar plunging with icebergs, jumping into St. Mary falls, and being a witness to the magic of wildflower season. In between all of my adventures I also found such great purpose in my role for the Conservancy. It was a privilege to interact with visitors from across the globe who were also in awe of the masterpiece of creation that is Glacier. Playing a small role in raising funds for the park to continue to keep its gates open and welcome visitors, for hopefully generations to come, is the kind of impact that I feel incredibly lucky to have helped make.
One season spent in Glacier has given me a lifetime’s worth of memories and lessons that I will forever cherish. I know that taking the leap of faith to leave comfort behind and seek out an adventure will become one of the most influential experiences that shapes my journey in life.
I encourage anyone considering embarking on a seasonal work experience with GNPC to embrace the uncertainty of it all and to not let any fears of taking an “untraditional” path detour you from making what could be one of the best decisions of your life. Take it from me personally, as I was someone who was reading the employee feature blogs on the GNPC website at the end of last summer praying that could be me, and one year later I am able to write one of my very own.
