My internship was an experience that I really enjoyed. It was a little challenging at first because I was so unfamiliar with an office setting and how non-profits work. I am also a very shy person and I know that lead to some communication issues and smaller problems in the beginning. I also had little confidence in my work. I had this feeling in the beginning that what if the work I do isn’t up to par? Will I let down my supervisors? Will I hurt the organization? Thinking like gave me an icky feeling and I knew the only way to get rid of it was to be confident in myself and ask for help in things I didn’t know about. There is nothing wrong in asking for help.
As my attitude began to change, things began to fall into place. I had a clear head and was able to focus on my purpose, starting the Taos Farm Stand Market. I overcame my shyness because I knew it wouldn’t get me any close to achieving my goal and would make all other matters easier. From learning to overcome that obstacle, I met some many new people that were able to help me get close to my objective. This success led to many other successes in my internship journey which led to a successful opening day of the market.
Finding out about Ogallala Commons was one of the best things ever. They gave me an opportunity to practice my career skills and work on them and help my community all at the same time. Ogallala Commons along with my co-workers and supervisors have helped me build a career foundation to help me and build upon in the future.
My supervisors, Pati Martinson and Terrie Bad-Hand, as well as the other staff members, Mercedes, Ruth, Juanice, and Gilbert made this whole experience all the better. They created a work environment that was the most welcoming and awesome work place I have ever experienced. That environment was one of the main factors in helping me overcome the challenges I had. Pat, Terrie, and Mercedes have inspired me so much in being a strong independent woman. With our little non-profit experiencing some difficulties now, they hold their heads high and do whatever they can to help and change things. They are women who have a plan and work hard to get things done, they inspire me to do the same.
