Interpretive Ranger Enfinitee Irving

Born and raised in Cameron, a small town nestled in Calhoun County, South Carolina, Enfinitee Irving grew up a country girl riding ATVs, go-carts, and bikes, and playing outside in nature. A 2020 graduate of South Carolina State University, Enfinitee had her sights set on becoming a high school history teacher. Little did she know, her journey would take her down a different path - one that would lead her to Rose Hill Plantation State Historic Site, where she now serves as an Interpretive Ranger.

Enfinitee's journey with South Carolina State Parks began in the summer of 2022 when she completed an internship at both Rose Hill Plantation and our Central Office. "I knew I wanted to become a park ranger after completing the HBCU [Historically Black Colleges and Universities] internship that was offered here at Rose Hill," Enfinitee explains. "During my internship, I fell in love with park life, and the ability to educate the public in a non-traditional way."

But her journey didn't stop at Rose Hill Plantation. After completing ten weeks at Rose Hill, Enfinitee transitioned to our Central Office for nearly a year, where she had the opportunity to work with staff at Hampton Plantation State Historic Site conducting tours. She worked on several other projects in parks around South Carolina, including the pre-park history of Sesquicentennial State Park, Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) history at Chester State Park, and the video series 'South Carolina State Parks Journey Towards Integration', which featured Edisto Beach State Park, Poinsett State Park, and Sesquicentennial.

Since October 2023, Enfinitee has been full-time at Rose Hill as the park interpreter, conducting house tours, creating programs and events, and researching to continue building the site's knowledge base of history. "I am slowly learning more about historic preservation since it is important that I know how to preserve such old buildings and structures," Enfinitee shares.

In her current role, Enfinitee takes pride in the connections she makes with people from all walks of life. "What I find most satisfying about my job is the ability to connect with so many people from all across the world," she says. "People of different ages and backgrounds. Each day I have the ability to nerd out on my favorite topic, which is history."

However, Enfinitee has also faced challenges in her role, particularly in conversations about race and slavery. "I understand that the discussion of slavery can be very hard for people to grasp and understand.  As a person who is a descendant of people who would have been enslaved here in this state, I believe it is my duty to tell the story of not just my ancestors, but the ancestors of many others."

Despite the challenges, Enfinitee is determined to make a difference and create a more inclusive environment in state parks. "Representation matters, especially in South Carolina, where the population is very diverse," she says. "I want to ensure that all people are represented and feel seen, especially when visiting the South Carolina State Parks, where everyone is welcome."

For Enfinitee, being a park ranger is more than just a job - it's a calling. "I would love for more people to have the experience of becoming park rangers," she says. "I believe that this route is one that is non-traditional, yet very enjoyable. Every park is different, and the expectations for each park vary. I believe that this is a very fulfilling career, one that takes a special kind of person to be successful."

As she continues her journey as an Interpretive Ranger at Rose Hill, Enfinitee hopes to inspire others to pursue careers in the state parks. "My advice to someone looking to become a park ranger would be to start off volunteering at your closest park," she says. "Park staff always need help with various projects and programs. Learn about each park and the overall history of the agency. Participate in the things we have to offer so that you can see how things are done at parks. Learn about nature if you are interested in becoming a nature ranger. Make yourself valuable, and then from there apply for one of our openings."

As Enfinitee continues to make her mark on South Carolina's state parks, she hopes to inspire others to follow in her footsteps and make a difference in their communities. Thank you, Enfinitee, for your hard work and dedication to the state park service! Think you might be interested in a job with the South Carolina State Park Service? Click here to see our current job openings!