Dylan, what brings you joy as an instructor?
I love watching students take charge of their own adventure and gain the confidence to thrive in the outdoors (and in life!). One moment that stands out to me is in a trip I ran with UC San Diego’s trips program, where I had given over our route decisions to the student leaders of the day. It was incredible to watch them work together as a team to make the tough choice to take the more challenging route. We were rewarded with a hike to the most incredible alpine lake, and as a group we learned a lesson about how hard work pays off.
What’s one of your favorite memories from last summer?
One of my favorite memories from Alaska last summer was the mac and cheese we made (and unfortunately had to clean) during our second backpacking trip. We had just traversed down our biggest descent in pouring rain. The laughs we shared and the sense of pride for making it through a long day were so rewarding. Cleaning our stuck-on mac and cheese was all OK because we had a huge rainbow in our background.
When you’re not adventuring with AT, what keeps you busy?
I’m currently completing my master’s degree in biology at UC San Diego, working in glycobiology and women’s health. I work as a teaching assistant for an intro to biology lab, and I teach CPR and first aid courses for our campus rec department. I spend any time possible swimming in the ocean and playing ultimate frisbee. I love watching movies, especially with my roommates and some microwave popcorn.
What’s your advice for new instructors this summer?
Take a deep breath, be yourself, and don’t lose your notebook! Bring a lot of love for your students and practice your pirate waiter skills in your downtime.
How can students prepare for their trips this year?
Take a deep breath, double check your packing list, and be brave! You are capable of so much more than you think you are!
What’s your next big adventure?
My next exciting plan is to figure out the rest of my life! After graduating from my master’s program, I’ll either head to a PhD program, medical school, physical therapy program, the biotech industry, or a teaching credential. Or maybe none of the above! For now, I’m looking forward to heading back to AT in June.
Tell us some fun facts about you—what would surprise us?
- I’m a big fan of Pixar and similar movies—Elemental, Ratatouille, and The Lorax are high on my list.
- I can pretty accurately match people to their handwriting.
- I don’t like onions or lettuce.
