High Line Fellows: Emerging Leaders Program

“Experience with civic engagement through the High Line Teen Employment Program has definitely helped me better understand communities. It has given me a whole new level of awareness.”

“High Line Teens has been great for learning how to put myself out there and just communicating with people in general. I’m typically a reserved person and try to avoid human interaction, but working at the High Line has forced me out of that habit for the better. I’m much more comfortable making conversations and assisting people on my own now.”

“Networking, public speaking, communication, planning, and problem-solving are among the skills I’ve built on as part of the High Line Teen Employment Program.”

“Being a member of High Line Teens is a gift to all participants. Unlike a cashier job or other job that is usually available to teens, we get to see the real-life effects of our work. Seeing people enjoying the art and events makes us say, ‘We did that for them.’ Not many jobs give you the opportunity to see people’s smiles, but this one keeps on giving.”

“Working as a High Line Teen has educated me about my neighborhood and what’s going on in my community. The High Line has also prepared me for the future by developing my professional skills.”

“As a High Line Teen, I’ve been able to build on my group work experience. Being put in situations where you have to express your ideas while also compromising and listening to others is a skill that’s necessary in both college and the workforce.”

“Skills and lessons that I’ve learned include public speaking, presenting, communication, professionalism, and more.”

“I’m excited about working in horticulture and learning more about plants as part of the program.”

“In addition to the High Line being a great place for a first-time work experience, it also cultivates you for future working and career experiences. The most valuable part of working here, however, is definitely the friendships and connections that you make along the way. Although we will eventually outgrow the program, we will never outgrow the people who are a part of it.”

“As a High Line Teen, my life perspective has changed by realizing how important it is to do significant work to make a positive impact on our community.”

“As a High Line Teen, I’ve acquired skills such as punctuality, public speaking, and work etiquette. I’m also looking forward to gaining more experience in the arts, the proposal process, and the production of the artworks on the High Line.”

“Working at the High Line has impacted my life greatly. The High Line has changed the way I act—I’m more confident, forward, and direct. It has also exposed me to numerous careers I can pursue when I’m done with school. The experience has amplified my sense of independence as well.”

“The most valuable thing about the High Line Teens staff experience is the encouragement to interact and communicate with people you don’t necessarily know. I would also say the experiences provided definitely helped push me out of my comfort zone.”

“I’ve become better at speaking and communicating as well as problem-solving. This job is very creative—you never know what to expect and you have to think on your feet.”

“As part of the High Line Teens staff experience, we gain experience in learning about plants, art, and public speaking.”

“By working at the High Line, I’ve improved my communication skills and professionalism.”

“I’m interested in diving into the Spring Cutback process and weeding because I love to receive hands-on experience with nature. The High Line introduced me to a whole new world of nature and culture that led to a greater understanding of urban development and ways to help sustain the planet, especially in cities like New York.”

“During my next year with the High Line Teen Employment program, I’m looking forward to working on creating and planning events.”

“I think the most valuable thing about the High Line Teens program is the community that we create. It’s more than job employment—it has allowed me to experience new friendships and it has opened doors to different partnerships. The community we build is something that we can always return to when we need support.”

“From participating in the icebreaker exercises we do before each session to engaging in the opportunity to organize different types of events for the Teens, my time at the High Line has given me the ability to network and improve my social and communication skills.”

“The most valuable part of participating in the High Line Teen Employment Program has been the opportunity to create a positive community with other teens.”

“The High Line has introduced me to various career paths and prepared me for professional settings.”

“Skills I’ve acquired as a High Line Teen include public speaking, designing lesson plans, and facilitating discussions.”

“Working at the High Line has impacted my life by giving me more work experience, the opportunity to work with other teens, and the chance to network.”

“Since I started with the High Line Teen Employment Program, I feel more comfortable speaking in public and expressing my ideas. In college, there will be times when I will need to speak in public, and as a woman in STEM, it definitely helps to be more confident in a male-dominated field.”

“The most valuable part of being a High Line Teen is the impact that you make on a community.”

“Working at the High Line has allowed me to improve my communication skills and has helped me develop a better work ethic.”

“I’ve appreciated the opportunities to network as part ot the High Line Teen Employment Program.”

“Working for the High Line has impacted my life by changing my perspective of what work should look like. It has changed how I see work environments and what the average workspace should feel like. It has allowed me to feel the honor of being paid to do things that I actually love, and has set a standard for myself that I would like to meet at all times when looking for a job. The standard being that I am happy, comfortable, have flexible work opportunities, and most importantly am serving myself as well as the place where I am working.”

“Being part of High Line Teens staff has opened up so many doors for me within the past three years: I’ve worked with horticulturists in world-renowned gardens, planned and worked major events at the High Line, been involved with the surrounding community, and even traveled to Miami for the High Line Network Symposium. My Teen staff experience has helped me build working and networking skills as an individual that will only help me build upward from where I am right now..”

“In the civic engagement learning pathway, I’ve been able to express both my concerns and feedback in funding for our community through Participatory Budgeting. I’ve also been able to raise other people’s voices through canvassing!”

“One of my favorite parts of the program is hands-on work in the park.”

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“This year, I’m most looking forward to working on our Teen Night program and our family programs.”