My work as a virtual intern for the Smithsonian Center for Cultural Heritage and Folklife has been rather interesting. I have finally obtained my credentials to work in the Smithsonian system, granting me access to their extensive collection of materials to explore and utilize. I have been assigned to work on a bibliography and annotations about the 1976 Folklife celebrations, and have been working on that primarily. Having just completed my comprehensive examinations for my PhD, I am looking forward to dedicating more time to my internship. Some of the things I have most enjoyed so far are connecting with so many new people. My intership advisor and the other person I am working with have welcomed me with open arms, and it has been very comforting. I have also thoroughly enjoyed gaining a deeper understanding of the history of the Folklife Festival and what the future festival will look like. But most of all, I just really enjoyed learning about new software, such as the Smithsonian Learning Labs. Although I have not done extensive work on the platform, it is exciting to learn new software and become familiar with new learning platforms. I am also excited to start working with other software, that is, until the government shutdown is over, so that I can set up my official account.
To create more positive experiences like the ones I have mentioned, I can continue to maintain detailed contact with my internship advisor to address any questions or concerns I may have. I also need to remain open to new experiences as I continue to step out of my comfort zone. The only way to continue having a great experience is to do what works and fix what does not. I also plan to continue to reach out to gain a better understanding of what my coworkers have to offer and how I can directly assist and learn from them. Finally, I will also seek feedback from my internship coordinator and others I work with to improve my performance and address current issues.
Ultimately, I have gained a deeper understanding of my work style preferences throughout this process. One thing that has remained a constant and not a great surprise throughout this internship is how much I value organization. The Smithsonian is a highly organized and thorough facility, and I am incredibly grateful for the sense of order I experienced while working there. I have also learned how to be even more organized with my internship being remote, which means I have to pay closer attention to organizational structures and exercise increased self-discipline to complete all of my projects. Overall, I am pleased and thankful, and I’m excited to continue working on my projects and the internship as a whole.