Over the course of the year, I learned so many lessons, from technical skills to workplace commonalities! Here are some of my favorite lessons learned...

1. Communication is key! When working in a team, as I did, it is so vital that everyone is on the same page. With that being said, it is very important to set the expectation for easy, consistent communication between all team members. This was something my supervisors really stressed at the beginning of my internship, and I was so glad they did because it definitely paid off.

2. Ask for Intern Learning Sessions. One of the best parts of my internship was the ability to come into contact with so many other members of the USAID team. If I asked my supervisor about a specific job or a specific skill, I was able to gain essential knowledge that helped me do my job better. It was a win-win for both my supervisor and me!

3. US Diplomacy acts in mysterious ways... Before this internship, I had never realized that the United States actually used USAID as a diplomatic lever. As I did my research during my internship, I quickly learned that in my regions of interest (Africa and the Middle East) youth workforce development was really a means of conflict intervention. If the US had a concern about a specific country's stability, for example, you would see a lot more youth programs there. Why? Because, as research has shown, youth can be huge sources of instability in an already conflict-ridden nation. On the flip side, however, youth can act as catalysts for change. Youth have the ability to transform governments and drive economic and political prosperity for these communities. With the proper support, youth can actually better their communities and their nations (which, oftentimes, the US government really enjoys).

4. Friends make it all the better! Although initially I was nervous to reach out to my fellow interns, making friends with them made the experience so much more impactful, especially in the age of COVID-19 when everything is so distant. In a virtual setting, it was much harder to make friends, but in reaching out to my fellow interns, we were able to put our heads together to problem-solve and just to enjoy one another's company.

This internship really gave me lots of ways to grow as a leader, a student, and a professional.

As a leader, I think I learned how to be a better communicator. In leadership, communication is so important. The way in which I communicate now has really advanced, I think, because I feel that I have learned how to communicate complex ideas in digestible, accessible ways. Oftentimes, this is a struggle for leaders trying to spread their vision, but I think this internship taught me the skills needed to do so effectively.

As a student, I learned how to better advocate for myself and how to ask important questions. This internship really taught me that people are so willing to help you if you just ask! There are so many resources and opportunities available to me if I just take the leap of faith and take the initiative.

As a professional, I became more confident in my own abilities. I realized in this internship that confidence really goes a long way. Learning to lean into my strengths and ask for support in my weaknesses was a big step for me. I learned that it isn't possible to be perfect in everything; it is possible, however, to know your strengths and embrace them.

I will use my practicum experience with USAID as a jumping off point for my career moving forward. The internship gave me a better idea of what I am looking for in a career, and what I definitely don't want in one. There were definitely some things that surprised me, such as my newfound love for public relations. Other things, like narrative style writing, were skills I knew I really enjoyed. Overall, this practicum experience was especially valuable in terms of my career because it provided me with valuable experience in the workplace, from learning how to work with others and communicating more effectively to how to send succinct emails.

This practicum experience definitely enriched my life in more ways than one. Not only did I gain valuable networking connections, but I made friends for life in my fellow interns. I'll be able to apply this experience to my life moving forward as an example of my resilience despite all of the challenges that arose due to COVID-19. Working in a virtual environment was definitely challenging, but I was able to overcome those difficulties by improving my communication skills, working effectively with my teammates, and working on my time management skills. This experience certainly showed me how to hold myself accountable and I know it will be a valuable background for any career or life experience to come.

The Rest of My Time At UMD

During the remainder of my time at UMD, I will be pursuing my dual degree in Government & Politics and French. I plan to stay involved with the College Park Scholars community, as well as the Global Fellows community, which has been another enriching experience on campus. I will also maintain my Stamp Advisory Board membership, and hopefully I can even become the chairperson by my senior year. If possible (all depending on circumstances regarding COVID-19) I plan to study abroad in Nice, France during the spring semester of my junior year to enrich my French fluency and gain more global experience. In my senior year, I plan to write a thesis for the Government & Politics Honors Program, likely with a focus in International Relations. During all of my time at UMD, I hope to continue gaining internship experience while also giving back to my community in meaningful ways.

Post-Graduation

After graduation, I plan to seek work in the public relations or consulting field. I want to pursue a job with lots of interaction with other people, and especially careers that allow me to problem solve with a team. I am definitely still exploring potential career options, but I hope to pursue a career immediately after college. Perhaps after working for a few years, I will return to academia to pursue a Master's degree, but I am unsure at this time.