What is LINK? |
Where I worked |
Before LINK:
Going in to this internship was a struggle, and brought up a lot of questions. Some of them included; who I am, who I want to be, what do I want to do when I get older, and do I want my passions to be my work? Finding what I wanted to do alone was hard, but the hardest part was being rejected by so many people. Because of my age, I was told that I was not eligible to be a intern at the companies, or I would flat out not get a response back. I must have sent out at least fifteen emails before getting a "maybe" back, which turned out to be Deer Hill. At first I wasn't sure about Deer Hill because I wanted to go on a backcountry trip, and I didn't have the opportunity to do so. After a lack of motivation, and not wanting to go through the process of being rejected anymore, I decided that Deer Hill would be fun enough. I would learn all of the behind the scene jobs, and how I could become a guide. I would work with the equipment, and be able to go on resupplies. I was terrified, and nervous to be living away from home for three weeks, but also very stoked. I can't wait to see what, and where this opportunity brings me.
Reflection:
Going into this internship, I wasn't expecting a lot. One of the only things I wanted to figure out was if the guiding life would be something I wanted to follow through with, or if I wanted to keep my hobbies separate from my work life. I chose this internship to have a better perspective of what I would be getting myself into if I were to get all of my certifications and become a guide, and if I would still enjoy this lifestyle. I was nervous this wasn't what I wanted, and I was just going to be sitting around watching people do desk jobs, partly because my mentor wasn't very clear with what I would be doing.
My first day, I met a lady named Jordan. She showed me around the campus, and introduced me to two of the other interns that I didn't know were also interning. I was very shocked, and was defiantly not sure if I wanted to stay. After settling in a bit, the interns were really nice to me; they made me dinner and introduced me to the rest of the interns. I decided that even though I felt out of place and really nervous, I would give it a shot. The next day, I met Al my supervisor. She was really energetic and nice which was really comforting. And I started my first day of work. The next few days flew by, in an awkward daze of confusion, and uncertainty. The next week started getting better, after going on a few hikes, and hanging out with all of the interns after work. I started getting comfortable with all of the co-workers, between my nicknames from my many mentors, and love for my days spent outside. I was really happy, my co-workers started getting comfortable with me as well as they teased me and provoked me to be a part of their lives. By the end of the second week, I almost forgot I had another life, until one of my friends texted me. My third week, I couldn't believe I was almost done with my internship. I was getting so close to everyone, and was also offered a job. I was finally feeling like I was in the right place in life. By the end of working my third week I had some realizations, and reflections.
Maybe this internship didn't start off how I wanted, and I didn't get to go on some big adventurous river or backpacking trip, but this experience was exactly what I needed. I learned so much just through talking to the other employees, guides, and other interns that made it clear what I was looking for in life. I learned the world that has recently drawn me in to, is the world that I fit into. The people in this world are adventurous, energetic and free spirited people I've always been looking for. The ones that are singing when doing the dirty work, and are all down to go dancing after work. Not only did I find my people, I found that I am really good at the things I am inspired by, and always up for learning something new. I was so intrigued by all of the innovative ideas that were bestowed upon me. The first day we worked on creating a system so that the buckets no longer stuck together, and also having all the equipment to fix their own gear. Through the three weeks, I was fascinated with how creative the team was, from building their own sweat lodge out of willows, to learning how to fix the numerous broken stoves.
In school I am known to always be late, and sometimes don't put my best effort in to the work I do. At Deer Hill, I was never late, always energetic, and excited to learn something new and putting the frustration aside. Though this may seem somewhat cliche, I found my home, the place I fit in and constantly feel inspired. I found a place that I would love to be apart of, and will work as hard as needed to get back to this world. When I started, I hoped to just bring my work ethic, my ability to just get the job done. I started off wanting to keep Animas High School's good reputation, of hard-working professional young adults. The thing is though, I came out bringing this energetic happy go lucky young lady that I thought I had lost. I brought my strong, independent, and slightly sassy self to Deer Hill. I believe I left Deer Hill with the knowledge that it is an honor to be apart of their work environment, and that high school students can be part of a good work environment. This internship has shown me that I will succeed, and have a placeI fit in to. I am very grateful that we were given the opportunity to go out and be a part of something bigger than school.
My first day, I met a lady named Jordan. She showed me around the campus, and introduced me to two of the other interns that I didn't know were also interning. I was very shocked, and was defiantly not sure if I wanted to stay. After settling in a bit, the interns were really nice to me; they made me dinner and introduced me to the rest of the interns. I decided that even though I felt out of place and really nervous, I would give it a shot. The next day, I met Al my supervisor. She was really energetic and nice which was really comforting. And I started my first day of work. The next few days flew by, in an awkward daze of confusion, and uncertainty. The next week started getting better, after going on a few hikes, and hanging out with all of the interns after work. I started getting comfortable with all of the co-workers, between my nicknames from my many mentors, and love for my days spent outside. I was really happy, my co-workers started getting comfortable with me as well as they teased me and provoked me to be a part of their lives. By the end of the second week, I almost forgot I had another life, until one of my friends texted me. My third week, I couldn't believe I was almost done with my internship. I was getting so close to everyone, and was also offered a job. I was finally feeling like I was in the right place in life. By the end of working my third week I had some realizations, and reflections.
Maybe this internship didn't start off how I wanted, and I didn't get to go on some big adventurous river or backpacking trip, but this experience was exactly what I needed. I learned so much just through talking to the other employees, guides, and other interns that made it clear what I was looking for in life. I learned the world that has recently drawn me in to, is the world that I fit into. The people in this world are adventurous, energetic and free spirited people I've always been looking for. The ones that are singing when doing the dirty work, and are all down to go dancing after work. Not only did I find my people, I found that I am really good at the things I am inspired by, and always up for learning something new. I was so intrigued by all of the innovative ideas that were bestowed upon me. The first day we worked on creating a system so that the buckets no longer stuck together, and also having all the equipment to fix their own gear. Through the three weeks, I was fascinated with how creative the team was, from building their own sweat lodge out of willows, to learning how to fix the numerous broken stoves.
In school I am known to always be late, and sometimes don't put my best effort in to the work I do. At Deer Hill, I was never late, always energetic, and excited to learn something new and putting the frustration aside. Though this may seem somewhat cliche, I found my home, the place I fit in and constantly feel inspired. I found a place that I would love to be apart of, and will work as hard as needed to get back to this world. When I started, I hoped to just bring my work ethic, my ability to just get the job done. I started off wanting to keep Animas High School's good reputation, of hard-working professional young adults. The thing is though, I came out bringing this energetic happy go lucky young lady that I thought I had lost. I brought my strong, independent, and slightly sassy self to Deer Hill. I believe I left Deer Hill with the knowledge that it is an honor to be apart of their work environment, and that high school students can be part of a good work environment. This internship has shown me that I will succeed, and have a placeI fit in to. I am very grateful that we were given the opportunity to go out and be a part of something bigger than school.