Melissa and Emily McGuire
Iowa County’s McGuire sisters embrace Kirkwood studies, enjoy learning on the job
You could say Emily and Melissa McGuire have been preparing for their careers since they could walk.
That’s when they remember taking to their outdoors chores, helping on the family’s Iowa County acreage near North English. Their family’s vegetable garden and flower beds proved fertile ground, with projects in their local Crossroads 4-H Club adding to their interest. Hunting, fishing and generally enjoying the outdoor life filled much of the rest of their time.
In the spring of 2014, the two sisters who did much of their growing up outside are getting ready to continue promising careers that mix nature and service through Kirkwood Community College’s Ag Science programs. Both have already put their classroom studies to work, earning while learning in eastern Iowa.
Following Emily’s graduation from English Valleys High School in 2012, she headed east to Kirkwood Community College, enrolling in their Parks and Natural Resources classes. Sister Melissa followed a year later, and is ready to complete her one-year program in Floral Careers. The younger McGuire calls the next degree her “backup plan,” with classes in Landscape Design.
Emily knows the natural resources of Iowa first-hand, as she embraced hunting and fishing early on. “Our dad showed us how to shoot and fish pretty young. He taught us archery, how to be comfortable doing it,” she recalls. She developed her skills “with target shooting first” in elementary school, then moved up to a compound bow “with sights, quick-release” and such.
Emily’s comfort level was apparently quite good, as she bagged her first deer at the age of 14.
Job-shadowing opportunities in high school led Emily to think strongly on a conservation career. As a student in Kirkwood’s Parks & Natural Resources program, she admits to being outnumbered yet un-fazed in the classes. “Yeah, there are a few moments you feel like you have to prove yourself with the guys.”
There is a pause, a sly smile. “We talk about hunting, and it’s all understood,” she adds.
Emily put her studies to the test in a summer 2013 internship. She did a variety of duties at Lake Iowa County Park, near Millersburg. One day she would groom some hiking trails, the next day she would help build a children’s “play-scape” section in the park.
“It was a neat place and good people to work with,” Emily remembers. “One day we were working on a trail and a flock of wild turkeys came through, right by me. That was fun. The internship also showed me there are lots of great people who work in this field.”
Kirkwood Horticulture Coordinator Ken Carroll is quick to second Emily’s bona fides in the Parks & Natural Resources program. He calls “her comfort level in the environment” the hallmark of the elder McGuire sister’s time at Kirkwood.
“Sure, she is a good student in class with a great work ethic. When I visited her on-site at Lake Iowa, I heard from the people there how well she did, how well she fit in. When I sat down with her afterward, what struck me was her comfort level in this environment. It’s as if she is really meant to be here, in this job and role. She can do it all, with a great attitude,” Carroll said.
Floral Careers Department Coordinator Lora Dodd-Brosseau sees a similar high-quality, “always cheerful” style in Melissa’s work in classes and lab sessions.
“She gives us 100 percent every day in class. I know that energy and spirit will translate into a great role for her, wherever she takes her skills in floral work,” she said.
Melissa is already honing those qualities at Pleasant Valley Garden Center and Greenhouses in Iowa City. A fall internship gave her a taste of customer service and professional aspects. The Pleasant Valley crew asked her to stay on for more duties in the spring.
“I love it when a customer asks for some special touch, something really specific, and I can make it happen for them. That’s the best feeling!” she said.
The coming year will find both McGuire sisters continuing their growing pursuits. Emily will transfer to Upper Iowa University, continuing her studies in parks and natural resources. She entertains thoughts of natural resources research or other specialties after her four-year degree is complete. Meanwhile, Melissa will pursue degree number two at Kirkwood, and is already enrolled in Landscape Design classes for the fall.
But, it’s a good bet Iowa County neighbors will spot both of them this summer, doing what they love best–outside, surrounded by nature.