It’s Over

I didn't write a blog entry last week, because I only had two more days to go and figured I would write one final blog. First I will review my week and then perhaps I will have a moment of reflection.

 

My last full week at the National Museum of African-American History and Culture (NMAAHC) was AWESOME! On Tuesday, I presented the teen program I designed to the entire education staff. The presentation went well and I received some great feedback. Then on Thursday, the education director came into my office and told me that she was very impressed with my program and that it was stellar work. She actually said stellar! Then she asks me when I graduate and let me know that they would be sure to stay in touch with me. Needless to say I was very excited (yes I called my mama). The next day my supervisor came in asked me if I would be taking classes next summer, just in case an opportunity opened up. This is really everything that you can ask for from an internship! The icing on the cupcake, my supervisor agreed to sit on my thesis committee. It's just a great ending to a great internship.

 

Moment of Reflection

I have had a wonderful experience at NMAAHC. I've met some fantastic people and made solid connections. Most importantly I've learned a lot about myself. I know now, more than ever before, that this is what I want to do with my life. I've learned a lot about professionalism. I also had the opportunity to see a museum being developed from the ground up. That's an opportunity that many museum professionals will never have. Finally I've learned the importance of a good work ethic and taking pride in your work. Sure I've worked plenty of professional positions, but this is the first time that I have the opportunity to create something from scratch. I put hard work into my program and it was noticed and respected. Often times we work in places where we don't feel appreciated. Leaving here, I feel appreciated and respected. That's amazing.

 

Tomorrow I leave for Gainesville somewhat sad, but excited about finishing my degree and getting to work in my field.

 

 

The End is Near

I'm winding down my stay here in Washington D.C. and I must say that I'm sort of sad. I've thoroughly enjoyed my internship and have learned a lot. I'm even more excited about the museum profession. Next week I make my final presentation on my program and wrap-up some other side projects then it's back to Gainesville (tear).

After missing Monday, due to illness, I've spent most of this week in meetings and workshops. Tuesday saw a meeting with the evaluators of the education department. We spent the day discussing what needs to be evaluated before the museum's opening, how to conduct the evaluations and the creation of an evaluation tool that can be easily adjusted after the museum has opened. Wednesday and Thursday brought the Mobile Learning Institute, where I used web 2.0 tools to create and upload a video to the Smithsonian's social networking site. I was supposed to attend a workshop on applying for Smithsonian jobs today (Friday), but just couldn't bring myself to go.

I think that I'm going to be taking work home with me this weekend so I can create a totally awesome presentation for next Tuesday. I hear the clock ticking and it's making me depressed. Finally, I still haven't met Michelle, but I'm not giving up hope.

Bittersweet

So I have two weeks left. I'm sad and excited all at the same time. On the one hand, I get to go home and see my family, but on the other hand, I have to leave this awesome internship. Oh well, it just means that I have to get a job here after graduation and make plenty of money so that I can visit home often. That's easy.

This week I gave myself the task of completing one of my major projects in its entirety. I'm proud to say that I succeeded. It took a couple of long nights, but it was worth it. I was also reminded of my unpaid intern status when I was recruited to fold thousands of pamphlets for an upcoming trip. For the record, that part sucked (and we're not finished). So next week I'm going to complete my teen program and prepare my Pecha Kucha (thanks Dr. Willumson). Finally, I had an intern tour scheduled this week, but didn't get to go. I'm not sad though, they tell me Michelle wasn't even there.

A Great Week

I'm still behind on the blogging, but I'm trying to catch-up this week.

 

So last week I did a preliminary presentation of my teen program. I knocked it out of the park. Both of my intern supervisors were very impressed with my program and my presentation. Also, the education director (my bosses' boss) told me that the work that I did on the bookmark series was fabulous (her words not mine). I must say that all in all, it was a fantastic week. Let's see how this week turns out. Only three weeks left.

On day I might get some work finished

I know it is Monday, but this post is for last week. I'm still playing catch-up.

It took over a week, but as of last Wednesday, my office is finally up and running. One would think that I would actually get some work finished. That really didn't happen. On Wednesday, the museum sponsored a forum in collaboration with Hip Hop Theater Week. I spent most of the day working at the forum, so no work was finished that day. Thursday was the intern networking reception and career fair, so no work that day either. Finally, Friday was the curatorial retreat, so again, not much work was finished. I wouldn't be too concerned about it, except that I have a presentation this Thursday on my teen program. I'm not panicking, I just see a lot of long days ahead of me. In other news, I have an intern tour of the White House soon. Maybe I'll meet Michelle!

Thus is the Life of an Intern

I'm playing catch-up with my blog, because I was (and still am) a little displaced last week.

Last week, I experienced a quick reminder that I'm just an intern. I had this great cubicle with a large window, until someone wanted my cubicle. Since this person actually gets a paycheck to be here and I don't, I had to give up my space. All is not lost! I moved into a great corner office, but I have to share it with two other interns. Unfortunately, the office isn't ready, so for the last week, I've been without my own computer. I've been somewhat of a nomad, floating from cubicle to cubicle each day, depending on who's absent. Since I don't have permanent work space, there isn't much work getting accomplished. I guess this is what happens to interns. Maybe sometime this week, I will have an actual office to work in, with an actual computer. Keep your fingers crossed!

A Sense of Purpose

There are millions of people who have gone their entire life without finding their passion. This internship has afforded me the opportunity to find mine. When you're in college and choosing your major, often you question if you're doing the right thing. Sometimes, you graduate and you're still not sure. As I work each day, I become increasingly confident in my decision.

Today I attended a meeting on a permanent exhibition. This is the first meeting where I witnessed the collaborative efforts of each component of a museum staff. When talking about the objects for the exhibit, input was given from the curators and the collections manager. Then the education department weighed in on the overall visitor experience. It allowed me to really see what goes into developing an exhibit. It was a great experience.

During this meeting, pictures of objects for the exhibition were passed around. My emotions run the gamut when thinking about the history of these images. I feel pride when I look at the accomplishments of my people, anger when I think of how we've been abused and mistreated and sadness at the hardships that we had to endure. Museums have the ability to summon these emotions in people. It's these emotions that help to solidify my decision to become a museum professional. As I continue to learn, I now know that I will leave this internship with a greater sense of purpose. It's these emotions that help to solidify my decision to become a museum professional.

Lastly, my books came in (YAY)!

Not much going on

It's official; I'm no longer the only education intern. This doesn't change my work load or anything; I just thought I would share this news with you. She's from Florida (just like me) and an FSU graduate (well no one is perfect).

In other news, my books still have not come. Alas, this savvy intern has found a way to work around this obstacle and made significant progress on the project. I've also started on my future award-winning teen program (I can dream, right?). I have lots of great ideas swimming in my head. I just have to organize them and put them into a proposal.

I'm excited because I finally found some eateries around my building that doesn't require me to put my meal on layaway. This makes me really happy! Finally, I haven't met Michelle as of today, but I have lots more time. Make it a great day (I will)!

I wish I could work

It really does stink when you want to do your work, but can't. I'm currently working on a bookmark series, but can't complete the biographies because my books that I ordered through the interlibrary loan (ILL) system have not come. Consequently,each day, I'm just staring at my computer. The Internet has been somewhat helpful, but I really need those books. Oh the life of an intern! My biggest fear is that my intern supervisors will think that I'm a flake if I miss the deadline for this work. Hopefully the books will come in tomorrow and I can finish (even if I have to work late). On the upside, I am finally getting started on my main project. I'm pretty excited. It may even give me some insight into what I want to do for my thesis (because I really need to find a topic, soon). Tomorrow's Friday, maybe I can kick my weekend off right (Come on ILL, I'm depending on you!).

Building my resume

I'm so grateful to my intern supervisors. They are constantly finding ways for me to build my resume and my knowledge base and enhance my intern experience. For example, thanks to one of my supervisors, I had the opportunity to be a judge for National History Day. It was an amazing and fun experience. For those of you who are around my age, I think National History Day is similar to the History fair from our youth. The projects were phenomenal. I judged the junior division (grades 6-8) performances. I must applaud the presentations and the amount of work that went into these projects. That being said, I also had the difficult task of looking past the cuteness of the babies and judging them based on their content and presentations. On a side note, I think that some of the nation's history teachers are failing their students. Overall, a pretty cool internship experience. I hope that in the future, I will be invited back as a judge. Oh and at some point, you will be able to see it all on the History Channel.

Another week down-8 more to go

I'm taking a short day today since it's been a long week and both of my supervisors are gone for the day. Aside from the best meeting ever and a freak encounter at another museum, I have had a pretty mild week. I have not had as many meetings this week, however I had the chance to help host a group of teachers from Tennessee. They were here on a Smithsonian grant. Guiding them around the city, gave me the opportunity to visit some of the other Smithsonian museums. I also mixed and mingled with the teachers. This allowed me to meet a teacher that happens to be friends with the director of the Ph.D program that I want to attend. We exchanged contact information, so that she could pass my information on to the director. Maybe I will get into the program. Thus far, being an intern is great! I keep meeting interesting people that can further my dreams. I will say that it's quite hard to finish any of my projects when I'm never at my desk. I guess that means that I'll be taking work home. Finally, I still have not met Michelle Obama but I still have eight weeks to make it happen. Have a great weekend.

Best meeting ever!

So today was the meeting of the Scholarly Advisory Meeting. It's basically a "think-tank" of the foremost historians on African-American history and other prominent African-Americans. They discussed the direction of the museum and the effect the museum will have on people. Well, I must say that this was the best 6 hour meeting I have ever attended. I am in awe of the amazing people in this meeting and their talent, intelligence, accomplishments and experiences. In the room is a Pulitzer-prize winning author, a former U.S. solicitor general, a former Spelman College president, a founding member of Sweet Honey in the Rock and so much more. If their plans for this museum come to fruition, this will truly be an amazing, life-changing, game-changing museum. Most importantly, me, a lowly intern got to watch. I'm so grateful. The best part; I was introduced to many of them and conversed with them about what I'm doing and what I hope to do as a museum professional. It was most exhilarating! This just turned the bad day that I had yesterday into the best week ever! Now I just have to meet Michelle. Let's see what tomorrow holds!

Meetings, Meetings and then......more meetings

Well I'm happily settled in. I'm a little behind on my updates because I do not have Internet access where I live. Let's play catch-up. This past week I have been in meeting after meeting. It seems that when you are a new museum, trying to establish and distinguish yourself, you must have a lot of meetings. On the up side, I'm learning a lot about what goes into planning and creating a great museum as well as public programming. I met our director, Lonnie Bunch, and have a conversation with him. He is a very nice man (and smart too).

Also this week, I had the opportunity to sit in on a lecture at the National Archives. William Hyland, Jr. wrote a book called: In defense of Thomas Jefferson. It's all about debunking the story of his long-term affair with Sally Hemmings. Mr. Hyland is a lawyer not a historian as evident by his lack of any concept of slavery. So all I will say is that in legalese (that's lawyer speak), all he presented was circumstantial evidence. I would suggest that you read his book as well as Annette Gordon-Reed's (also a lawyer, not a historian) book, Thomas Jefferson & Sally Hemmings: An American Controversy (which is the book that Mr. Hyland is trying to discredit), and form your own opinion. Sidenote: Any books you read on this topic will be circumstantial, because T.J. and Sally are dead and have been for a long time.

So that's everything for this week. Next week will be busy. I have a BIG meeting on Wednesday with lots of incredible minds. In other news, one of the meetings that I attended this week has put me one step closer to meeting Michelle. Don't doubt me, I'm going to make it happen!

My first day (and other events leading up to it)

My mother, myself and my aunt set off from Atlanta to D.C. We made a stop somewhere in N.C. to eat and refuel. At the gas station, I was approached by an old lady (at least 80) driving this huge chevy silverado (why?). She ask me "do you know how to pump gas?" I answered "yes mam (because my parents taught me right)." She then ask me for help. So I tell her that I think she needs to pre-pay (because that's what I did) and she informs me "I haven't been pre-paying any other time." My initial thought was "if you been here other times, why don't you know how to pump your gas?" Then after I got her started and set the pump to fill up, she asks me "what is that (and points)? Is it some type of information?" I say "it's a credit card offer." She says "oh no, stay away from those credit cards (like I wanted one), they get you in trouble." I politely said "yes mam, have a nice day." I personally found her to be hilarious and I would like to think that if either of my grandmothers were still living and in this particular situation, someone would help them.

On to my first day. It was fairly uneventful. Just your basic, paperwork, meetings and tours. I looked fabulous! Until I broke the heel on my brand new shoe. They will be going back, TODAY! Fortunately, I am my mother's child and I always have a pair of flat shoes with me for occasions such as this (or when my feet start to hurt). So, I'm still excited and I'm still working on meeting Michelle Obama (wish me luck).

About to set sail

After many obstacles (that many of you have heard about), I am finally ready to leave for my internship. Tomorrow, I set off for two months of feeding my brain and preparing myself for a career in the museum field. In two weeks, my bestie will join me and then we're taking over!

My intent was to drive my car straight up I-95. Well, my mother and my aunt highjacked my trip. My mother says that she doesn't want me driving by myself (and I'm sure that's true), but I think she just wants to go on a road trip, because that's just what she does. I don't mind though, it's a long drive to make by myself.

Originally, it was supposed to be just me and my mama, but Thelma doesn't go anywhere without Louise. Hence, my aunt is now apart of the trip. Did I mention that they added a detour? Now we're going through Atlanta (like that's on the way) to see my little cousin graduate from high school (congrats to you!). Hopefully sometime between now and Saturday evening, I will make it to D.C. I'm looking forward to my adventures. Maybe I'll meet Michelle Obama and she'll like me so much that she'll invite me to dinner at the White House (it could happen).