On the Job: Alijah McKenzie

Alijah McKenzie, a 2024 graduate of Academy West Alternative High School, had never felt a connection to the outdoors until becoming involved in the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) – a program coordinated through Flint & Genesee Education & Talent 

“My brother helped me get this job. I really liked it and enjoyed the field trips, the program, and the nature,” said Alijah McKenzie.

To acclimate young people from the city to the outdoors and highlight career opportunities in nature, the MDNR SYEP hires Flint teens for summer work. Since 2019, the MDNR SYEP hundreds of teens have learned the value of working outside and some have been inspired to pursue careers in fields tied to nature and McKenzie is one. 

“I want to be a park ranger.,” McKenzie said. “I like nature. I like it a lot. My interest in it peaked while being in the program.” 

Having completed TeenQuest, a pre-employment and leadership training program through Flint & Genesee Education & Talent, three years ago, McKenzie has worked in the summer program ever since. He has worked at two different sites during his time in the program and has discovered a deep love of being and working outdoors.  

He currently works in downtown Flint at Riverbank Park. His days consist of cleaning up trash, edging the sidewalks, and making it nice out there by the riverbank. 

Next year he plans to attend college to pursue a career as a park ranger and it’s the MDNR SYEP, as well as his time in TeenQuest, that has set him on this path. In TeenQuest he learned the importance of communication and compromise to accomplish one’s goals, and the MDNR SYEP fostered a love for the outdoors. 

What lessons learned in TeenQuest helped you on your path to this position? 

Team building and communication. Basic stuff.  

Do you have a memory or moment that stands out from the program? 

When I went swimming two years ago in the program it was really fun. We also did some zip-lining and rock climbing. I had the fastest record for rock climbing so that really stuck with me. 

What advice can you offer current and former TeenQuest students? 

Be a team player. Stay with everybody and be nice and kind.