Where Are They Now – Sara (Skellenger) Kobilka, 1998-2000 Alum
Please join us in welcoming Center for Youth Voice alum, Sara Kobilka, to our Alumni & Friends Network!
While attending Orono High School, Sara found her way to the Center for Youth Voice Programming, specifically through Youth in Government and serving on the Youth in Government State Steering Committee. Sara was part of the Camp Ihduhapi delegation.
After participating in YIG from 1998-2000, Sara went on to the University of Missouri where she received a Bachelor of Journalism in Broadcast Journalism in 2004, the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she received a Bachelor of Science in Atmospheric and Oceanic Science in 2005 and Montana State University-Bozeman where she got a Masters of Science in Science Education in 2017.
She has spent her career specializing in science communication, education and engagement in the realms of TV/radio, formal and informal education and the non-profits. Recently she’s expanded into career coaching. She describes her work by saying, “as a scientist, journalist and educator, I bridge gaps between the scientific community and those who consider themselves to be outside of it. I'm involved nationally in diversity in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and STEM engagement initiatives that seek to inspire interest and excitement for STEM broadly.”
Now, let’s get to the interview and learn more about Sara’s CYV journey:
How did you get involved with the Center for Youth Voice?
I learned about Youth in Government from one of my schoolmates. I was part of the TV station all three years. The first year I was a reporter and the second and third year I was the news director. I was also part of the State Steering Committee my second and third year. I have so many fun memories from YIG and the steering committee.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time involved with that program?
For YIG, the most memorable event was when I was news director. One of my reporters was able to interview Governor Jesse Ventura. We were all absolutely thrilled about this but the tape was never labeled. Someone ended up recording over it. At first, the team was devastated, but I was so impressed by how they rebounded. They went out, bought a skull cap and one of the boys wore it and pretended to be Jesse Ventura. They recreated the interview on their own and it was fabulous (and hilarious)!
For State Steering Committee, we had an overnight event at Camp Ihduhapi and I just remember forming such a tight bond with everyone. After years of not feeling like I fit in at my school, I felt embraced by other kids who knew how to work hard AND play hard. There were all sorts of jokes played on people, but we also bonded in our desire to make this the best possible program for everyone joining. I maintained a friendship with many of those folks for years afterwards even as we spread out across the country to attend college.
Did your involvement impact your plans for the future and/or professional goals? And if so, how?
My experience in the TV station led to me working in TV news as both a reporter and meteorologist. After leaving that field, I've had many other roles which have included working with youth and elevating youth voice and choice.
And I deeply appreciated how the adults, Orville Lindquist in particular, truly embodied the idea of empowering youth. He let us make as many of the decisions as possible. And his trust built my confidence and self-efficacy in a way that no other program I participated in while in high school ever did. It had a profound impact on my life and my future career and I am deeply appreciative to the YMCA for that.
What do you do for work?
I own my own business Renaissance Woman Consulting. I work with people and organizations focused on learning and collaboration, including formal and informal education organizations and non-profits. I offer consulting and support services, allowing them to enhance and expand their impactful work utilizing a multi-disciplinary Renaissance Person mindset. I operate through the critical lenses of diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, justice, access and accessibility. I also offer career strategizing, specializing in people changing industries. And I'm building a community for my fellow multi-passionate Renaissance People that includes hosting a podcast, Connecting the Dots with The Renaissance People. This show is a place to celebrate our identities as walking Venn diagrams with so many areas of interest. I mention my experience with Youth in Government in my very first episode, it was THAT impactful on my life! (link below)
If you could offer one piece of advice or wisdom to fellow Center for Youth Voice participants, what would you say?
Use this as an opportunity to go beyond what you'd normally do. Explore new interests, make new friends, embrace that being passionate and driven is celebrated by other students and your adult leaders. Remember, this is a space where YOU get to take the lead and while other organizations say that they offer youth leadership opportunities, very few truly allow your voice to be as strong as it is in this amazing program.
- You can find Sara on LinkedIn here
- A link to Sara’s podcast where she discusses her YIG experience is here
- See Sara’s website here
Looking for more ways to connect? Join our Center for Youth Voice Alumni & Friends LinkedIn group here.
Ready to share your Center for Youth Voice story? Fill out this form here to be featured in our next ‘Where Are They Now'.
