A short 3-year-old girl dressed in black pants 10 sizes too big and four top layers, including a big poofy jacket and a bright rainbow vest, clung to senior Taylor Hill’s legs with tears streaming down her face. Despite Hill’s gentle nudging, “the little snowman” refused to put on her skis and join the other children on the magic carpet.

“I tried everything,” said Hill, who works as a teacher’s assistant at North Star’s Kid’s Ski and Snowboard School in Lake Tahoe. “I tried showing her how to put on her skis, playing games with her, and going up the carpet with her, but she just wouldn’t ski all day.”

Hill even tried stepping into the little girl’s skis to show her that there was nothing to be afraid of, but despite her best intentions, her efforts were fruitless.

At the end of the day, she explained the situation to the child’s parents and was relieved when they understood.

Hill dreaded coming back the next day because the girl was a two-day student, and Hill “was really nervous that she wouldn’t have a good time.”

But then everything changed.

“She came back the next day and she was one of our best skiers,” Hill said. “She was super enthusiastic and just wanted to be on the hill.”

The instructors try to get the children used to the feeling of skis by throwing plastic dinosaurs around and having the children put them into a bin, all while wearing one ski. Whereas the little girl wouldn’t even do this the previous day, she now cried because she wanted both skis on.

“It was like night and day — a complete change the second day,” Hill said.

Hill said that the majority of her job revolves around dealing with crying 3-year-olds who are often scared of skiing and being away from home. Her responsibilities include helping out in the boot fitting room, transporting the children to and from the lesson area (ironically called “The Beach”), catching children at the bottom of the magic carpet, picking children up when they fall and cleaning up.

Two years ago, Hill took a lesson with a instructor at North Star. This instructor in turn recommended her for the job. She attended the North Star’s Kid’s Ski and Snowboard School as a child and enjoyed it, so she decided to take the opportunity.

Now, Hill works over holidays and any weekend that she can, although it is difficult to go to the ski resort often due to the long drive. While in Tahoe, Hill stays in her mom’s one-bedroom condo, from which she walks to work.

So far, she had worked a total of two-three weeks and hopes to continue, earning her certificate and becoming a full instructor in January. As a TA, she earns minimum wage: $10.50 an hour.

Although she does not ski as part of her job— in fact, skiing experience is not even necessary to apply — Hill said that she loves her job because she enjoys being with kids and teaching them the sport she loves. While the 3-year-olds can be difficult at times, she said that working with them has helped her gain patience.

“I learned to be more sympathetic towards others,” Hill said. “The job impacted my life by giving me a valuable work experience as well as allowing me to become more self-confident.”