conclusion
Throughout my internship with the Natural History Museum of Utah, I received experience in a number of fields, including community outreach, marketing and public relations. Receiving this variety of experiences allowed me to build upon many skills I had developed during my previous internship with Wasatch Community Gardens.
Although I helped in many areas, the main project I worked on was called The Food For Thought Truck. (A self contained, mobile outreach device intended to reach individuals throughout the entire state of Utah, providing fun activities, innovative programming, and loads of educational components.) This was an idea my boss had floating around in his mind for quite some time. Thus, he was excited to have someone to bounce ideas off of, and help him write a project proposal to pitch this idea to NHMU administration. Thus, I spent the majority of my internship researching about mobile outreach devices that other Museum's across the country had created, speaking to these museums to get as much information I could about their mobile outreach devices, meeting with the Botany, Paleontology, and Education Departments of our museum to develop programming for the FFTT, in addition to writing sections of the actual proposal. Although the proposal is still in the works, we are continuing to finalize sections of the proposal and are beginning to write a grant that, if given to us, will be used to help fund the Food For Thought Truck.
Although I helped in many areas, the main project I worked on was called The Food For Thought Truck. (A self contained, mobile outreach device intended to reach individuals throughout the entire state of Utah, providing fun activities, innovative programming, and loads of educational components.) This was an idea my boss had floating around in his mind for quite some time. Thus, he was excited to have someone to bounce ideas off of, and help him write a project proposal to pitch this idea to NHMU administration. Thus, I spent the majority of my internship researching about mobile outreach devices that other Museum's across the country had created, speaking to these museums to get as much information I could about their mobile outreach devices, meeting with the Botany, Paleontology, and Education Departments of our museum to develop programming for the FFTT, in addition to writing sections of the actual proposal. Although the proposal is still in the works, we are continuing to finalize sections of the proposal and are beginning to write a grant that, if given to us, will be used to help fund the Food For Thought Truck.
evaluation reflection
In the end, I believe that my internship with the Natural History Museum of Utah was a positive one. Going into the internship I knew that I enjoyed working with the local community, and working in the NHMU Community Outreach Department gave me insight into what it takes to put on all of the public events that they offer; which is A LOT! I have found that although I enjoyed working in the Outreach Department, that this specific job is not for me. However, I appreciate the experience that I received because that is what an internship is for, to gain experience and get you one step closer to knowing what you want your career path to be.
Prior to my internship I had zero experience writing a professional proposal. I value the skills I developed researching, getting in contact with other organizations, meeting with other departments at the museum, and actually writing sections of a proposal. All of these tasks have allowed me to build upon skills I had already developed throughout college courses, and my first internship with Wasatch Community Gardens.
I would recommend the Natural History Museum of Utah to future interns because I believe that Matt Whittaker is a very caring boss that wants to give his intern the best experience possible. However, because I was his first intern I do not believe he knew how to maximize the potential that an intern could provide. Towards the end of my internship when he was insanely busy working on various other projects, I felt like I was searching for work to do. I believe next time around Matt would be more prepared to handle an intern with such a large number of hours needed to be completed, and that the internship experience would be more valuable. I have come to realize that I enjoy being busy, and work better when I have a lot of tasks to complete, opposed to just a couple.
Overall, I am happy I was given the opportunity to intern with NHMU because I gained a lot of valuable experience. I feel more confident about the skills I have to offer, which will be really helpful when searching for potential future careers. Additionally, I have developed increased skills in professionalism, and feel like I can handle myself well in a professional setting.
Prior to my internship I had zero experience writing a professional proposal. I value the skills I developed researching, getting in contact with other organizations, meeting with other departments at the museum, and actually writing sections of a proposal. All of these tasks have allowed me to build upon skills I had already developed throughout college courses, and my first internship with Wasatch Community Gardens.
I would recommend the Natural History Museum of Utah to future interns because I believe that Matt Whittaker is a very caring boss that wants to give his intern the best experience possible. However, because I was his first intern I do not believe he knew how to maximize the potential that an intern could provide. Towards the end of my internship when he was insanely busy working on various other projects, I felt like I was searching for work to do. I believe next time around Matt would be more prepared to handle an intern with such a large number of hours needed to be completed, and that the internship experience would be more valuable. I have come to realize that I enjoy being busy, and work better when I have a lot of tasks to complete, opposed to just a couple.
Overall, I am happy I was given the opportunity to intern with NHMU because I gained a lot of valuable experience. I feel more confident about the skills I have to offer, which will be really helpful when searching for potential future careers. Additionally, I have developed increased skills in professionalism, and feel like I can handle myself well in a professional setting.