Reflections on What I Learned From Working at YouthWorks

During his last afternoon in the office, Peter wrote the following farewell blog post about his time at YouthWorks.

How would I describe my YouthWorks experience? The best way I can think to do that is my time with YouthWorks has been a game changer. As I look back on my time here, I can’t help but leave with an attitude of gratefulness for the opportunities that I’ve been given and the ways I’ve grown because of this organization.

Five years ago I said yes to a summer job after graduating college, not knowing the impact that it would have on my entire life. I’ve been a Program Coordinator, a Work Projects Coordinator, a Site Director, a summer Area Director, and a full-time Recruiter. I’ve driven thousands (upon thousands!) of miles in some of our country’s most beautiful regions, met thousands of people and made friendships that will last a long time, regardless of the distance or time between visits.

When I started working for YouthWorks, I was just a 22-year-old guy who needed a job. But YouthWorks gave me an opportunity to lead students on a daily basis, practice public speaking skills and delegate tasks to youth in order to accomplish a larger goal, even if that goal was sometimes as simple as getting pasta dinner out on time. Later, YouthWorks equipped me to lead youth and adults in accomplishing service projects for homeowners in West Virginia. Then, yet again, YouthWorks thought that I’d be a good employee, and so gave me responsibility over a team of people as a Site Director in Colorado, and it was amazing. I took hold of the leadership responsibility and found a passion for leadership that followed me into my role as a Recruiter and equipped me to be a summer Area Director, leading 37 college students over two summers in how to do YouthWorks, and I loved it. Three years later, here I am, leaving YouthWorks and moving on to grad school to equip myself to work with college students in a more full-time capacity.

Has it always been an incredible experience all the time? No, definitely not. Were there times when I did not enjoy what I was doing, or had to have conversations with people that were uncomfortable and make difficult decisions? Yes. Would I change any of it? No way.

The ways YouthWorks has equipped me to engage service, work, ministry, life and relationships far outweigh the hiccups that have occurred along the way. My experiences with YouthWorks are what have equipped and prepared me for what’s next, and the trajectory of my life has been shaped by Youthworks, and for that I am grateful.​

Peter joined the Recruiting Team in 2012, after spending four summers on staff with YouthWorks. In his day-to-day role, Peter loves the opportunity he has to recognize the developmental potential of young adults and see their growth as they lead during a YouthWorks summer. Outside of the office, Peter can be found building something in his garage, catching a fish or settling Catan.