Brett Matzke

Back to All Education Studies, Environmental Studies, Featured Spotlights

2020

Current job title and employer and briefly describe what it is you do: Post-graduation I have been working at Millstone Farm in Wilton, Connecticut. My job title is “Farmer” however I get the opportunity to engage in many different tasks while working at Millstone Farm. My day-to-day tasks include gardening & farming, working social media, organizing and helping with outreach programs, working at a farmers market, and preparing farm-to-table meals.

Academic experience at Saint Michael's College help prepare you for your career: My experience at Saint Michael’s College helped me prepare for this job in many different ways. My major environmental studies taught me a lot about environmental science, human relationships with the natural world, the benefits of spending time outdoors, and the philosophy of the outdoors environment. In addition to that, I had the opportunity to intern on the farm at SMC for two years as well as an intern at Shelburne Farms where I focused on crop systems management and farm-to-school education. My education degree taught me a lot about communication, how to engage with people in an educational way, and how to form meaningful connections with coworkers, customers, and learners. At the Farm, I get to use all of what I learned throughout my 4 years at SMC in a very fulfilling way.

Favorite memory or class from your time studying at St. Mike’s: One of my favorite classes at SMC is the farm class. Having the opportunity to take my education outdoors and learn hands-on made me realize not only that being outdoors is a priority of mine for an occupation, but it showed me a lot about meaningful education.

Translated your volunteer experience at Saint Michael’s into giving back to your community after graduation: At the Farm I am able to educate my community in a lot of ways. We hold free nature walks, herbal talks, and farm-to-table cooking classes/nutrition info. I believe there is so much power in education, and it’s been a pleasure of mine to get to give free and educational resources to my community that helps them get outside and learn more about ways they can improve their health with local food.

Other information you would like to share or advice for incoming or current students: My advice to any student at SMC is to take advantage of the tight-knit community that is so prevalent at SMC. Follow your intuition and gut about the things that interest you and light a fire to your mind. Life is short and having the opportunity to go to a four year liberal arts college is the best opportunity to follow your passions and dreams. Find what you love and do it!