Story by Karysa Brown, Carlton; Edited by Lale Akkin, Mounds View
Being involved in Youth in Government offers a wide range of benefits, but many people wonder whether the experience will have a lasting impact on their lives beyond the program. YIG provides valuable skills and connections that can be applied in various real-world situations. Many delegates use the networking opportunities and leadership skills they develop to help them pursue opportunities in politics, college, and careers as a whole. Others may not have a specific career path in mind yet, but they still find value in expanding their perspectives, learning how to engage in meaningful discussions, and gaining confidence in public speaking.
Delegates with all different career plans want to use and develop their skills. Teaching is one of those careers that involves public speaking and a big heart for improving children’s lives. “I am a ninth grader and plan on going to college and becoming a teacher after high school,” said Connie Phillips from the Forest Lake delegation. “I have a lot of connections from YIG and mainly the people I am seeing through my program area. I am able to talk on a deeper level about many things and not have to worry about being disruptive or something like that. I will use skills I used in YIG throughout my life. I was the one in my friend group who really wanted to do this and I thought we could learn skills here that can be used somewhere else. This program is kind of a look at what life is going to be like when we aren’t in school.”
There are even delegates who are planning to go into a career that is similar to the aspects of YIG, wanting to do or become more involved in things such as politics, law, or even becoming the president. “I am in the Myers House and my committee is Economic Development. I had a lot of fun with it and I got a bill passed there and on the floor. I am an assistant floor leader. I was appointed for five minutes as the committee chair of social services though,” said Kyle Chen from the Eagan delegation. “I find the most kind and passionate as well the most considerate people here more than anywhere else. And that’s like everywhere else where debate and speech we are all there to advocate for something that you’re not a part of. But here you write the bill, you make your NIF proposal and you argue for it. That’s the beautiful part about it. I plan on going into political science. I actually like the diversity. I plan on using public speaking and knowledge of knowing how the systems work and I think that is done better here than anywhere else.”
Some delegates are split between careers that are similar to YIG and careers that are not really based on politics. “I see a huge improvement in my confidence and public speaking skills,” said Lucy Schwartz-Timmerman from the Eagan delegation. “Definitely getting to speak on the floor of the House has taught me so much about feeling confident in what I am speaking about. It also gave me a passion for the Legislature as a whole whether that’s national or local, just looking into things that I am talking about and am very passionate about the bills that I write. It’s really inspired me to take a further look into how I can impact the communities around me and how through the Legislature that we are looking at. . . I plan on taking my skills into real life like public speaking and continuing my confidence. I will definitely be going to college, though I can’t decide between becoming a lawyer or doctor. I love the aspects of becoming a lawyer but I have certainly looked into becoming a doctor.”
All three delegates had different career aspirations — one aligned with YIG, another unrelated, and one undecided. This highlights that delegates from all backgrounds can participate in and benefit from YIG.