Nature's Workplace

Megan Talley '09

Nature's Workplace

By: Livia Ungurean

From breathtaking flowers to tropical butterflies, Hershey Gardens is a sight to see. Alumna Megan Talley ’11 found herself drawn to the organization, eventually leading her to a position as senior manager of programs and administration.

After graduating from Messiah College with degrees in both history and communication, Talley used her indispensable skills, from the best of both of her majors, to land a position at Hershey Gardens. “From analytical and investigate skills, to public speaking and media relations, both majors have greatly impacted my life personally and professionally,” she said. “I am forever grateful for my time and studies at Messiah, as they shaped me into an ever evolving, compassionate professional.”

Each day looks different in this role for Talley. She creates and implements special exhibits, seasonal programs, group tours and educational programs, as well as developing customer service training for staff. Working for a nonprofit organization usually requires wearing different hats within a job. “Beyond getting to do something different every day, the real joy of my job is being able to work at a 23-acre botanical garden that is always transforming. Nature is a comforting therapist and a beautiful office,” she says.

With her love of learning, Talley’s favorite experiences have been the ones where she gets to explore and learn new things. “In my time at the Gardens, I was fortunate enough to take several professional development trips to learn about other gardens or museums that offer educational programming,” she added. “Some of my favorites include the Smithsonian and Longwood Gardens. I am always overwhelmed by the generosity, knowledge and willingness of other institutions and professionals to teach others in the field.”

Fun fact: Talley can identify over 50 species of butterflies and moths.

Talley advises students to connect with a mentor within the organization he/she chooses to work for. “My mentor was my boss when I started working for Hershey Gardens five years ago. My relationship with her taught me certain professional standards that are only learned through experience, and she guided me through often challenging projects. I was able to talk to her about my aspirations and areas that I wanted to improve..”

Although Talley is grateful for her career path, she points that, as a student, she imagined she would find the perfect job that she would passionate about and would also serve God. “This is a wonderful goal; however, sometimes we get too caught up in what ‘perfect’ means to us,” she said. “We feel it has to check off all the boxes on our “wants list.” But not every job needs to address all your passions.” You may stumble upon a job that includes some things you like but also has other duties or technical responsibilities that make you feel uncomfortable or you aren’t skilled at. Talley encourages students that the things that seem daunting provide great learning opportunities and may turn into something you enjoy. “Take a chance and explore career opportunities that you may feel unqualified for,” she says. Talley challenges students to think outside the box, an open mindset to a career path can lead to the most unexpected, yet rewarding opportunities.