Great Lakes

Contact: Beth McCarthy, Recruiting Representative, Great Lakes Region, 603-543-1700, or email Beth.

To Visit Beth on Facebook, click here.

To search for Internship opportunities currently available with SCA, click here.

Originally from Syracuse NY, Beth graduated from St Bonaventure University in 2002 with a BA in History and an Education Sequence. After asking herself “What am I supposed to do with this History Degree?” she went on an epic journey to find a job or internship, and not be doomed to work minimum wage jobs in upstate New York. Through hard work and many hours online, Beth found a job working at Sagamore Institute of the Adirondacks as a tour guide. While there, Beth found out about SCA, and the rest in history (and by history, she means the Q and A below). In addition to her SCA internships, Beth has also worked in Yellowstone National Park for 3 summers and she liked Death Valley so much, she came back to work there again after her SCA internship. This is Beth’s fourth season as an SCA Recruiter (that has got to be some sort of SCA record) and she is ready to be back on the road and talking to everyone and anybody about SCA!

Beth likes to spend her time reading, laughing, doing Suduko puzzles, being outside, dancing, talking about her sisters, SCA, and random trivia . Never challenge Beth to Seinfeld, 80s Pop Culture, or Pop-up Video trivia unless you are a master

How did you hear about SCA?

I graduated from school w/a degree in History and was wondering what I would do after school. I found an internship in the Adirondacks. While I was there, someone I worked with was doing SCA and she mentioned it to me. I applied and thought I’d never get chosen, but figured it couldn’t hurt to apply anyway.

What programs have you done?

2003- Death Valley National Park, Scotty’s Castle Historic Interpretation Intern (CA) Researched, wrote and presented 50 minute living history programs at a Depression-era millionaire’s desert retreat Wore period clothing Worked at a visitor center and answered visitor questions

2004- SCA Charlestown National Office, SCA Recruiting Intern (NH) Traveled to over 20 college and universities in OR, WA, FL, GA, and AL to talk about SCA programs Spoke at info sessions, info tables, class presentations, student club meetings, and career fairs

2005- Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Transportation Interpretation Intern (OH) Worked at a visitor center and answered visitor questions about the park, train, and bike programs Did roving interpretation via bike or train Led kids summer train programs

What is your best memory of your internship(s)?

Each of them had different memories. I think it was cool to have the chance to live in National Parks and be completely out of my comfort zone. It was amazing to have the chance to recruit for SCA and see different parts of the country while talking about my experiences. I’m originally from upstate NY, and I’ve had the chance to go to CA, OR, WA, IA, MN, WI, MI, IL, IN, OH, FL, GA, AL, and NH all through SCA.

What did you get out of SCA?

So so much. Professionally: Interpretive experience, public speaking, the chance to communicate with a wide variety of people, the ability to think fast in some situations, learned about the National Park Service as a great option for History majors Personally: I learned a lot about myself and I’ve had an increase in my confidence level (super cheesy, but true). I’ve met some of my best friends through my SCA experiences. I’ve had the chance to travel all over. SCA has opened a number of doors for me that I never knew existed.

What is the funniest story from your tenure as a Recruiter? The bus incident from Iowa State. I missed my stop and ended up going to the end of the line, which was about 2 miles off of campus. The bus stopped and didn’t start up again for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, I’m late for a class presentation, so the bus driver called in this special shuttle bus to bring me to my appointment. I was very embarrassed and very late, but the professor was very nice about it and it was a good ice breaker with his students.

What is the best advice that you can give someone who is thinking of SCA, but is not sure if it is for them?

We have had History, Accounting, Textile, English, International Relations, Business, Psychology, and Art History (among other) majors who have applied for SCA. We are not just for the super outdoorsy type. If you are interested in making a difference, learning about yourself, going somewhere new, and building up your resume, I strongly encourage you to check out SCA. I look forward to helping you with your application!

Beth's Spring 2010 Schedule

Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo MI, Jan 19-20
Central Michigan University, Mt Pleasant MI, Jan 21-22
Miami University of Ohio, Athens OH, Jan 25-26
Ohio State University, Columbus OH, Jan 27-28
Kenyon College, Gambier OH, Jan 29
Aquinas College, Grand Rapids MI, Feb 1
Calvin College, Grand Rapids MI, Feb 2
Grand Valley State University, Allendale MI, Feb 3-5
Eastern Michigan, Ypsilanti MI, Feb 8
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI, Feb 9-10
Michigan State University MI, Feb 11-12
Ohio University, Athens OH, Feb 22-23
Hocking College, Nelsonville OH, Feb 24
Denison University, Granville OH, Feb 25
Kent State University, Kent OH, March 1-2
Oberlin College, Oberlin OH, March 3
Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland OH, March 4