In the first week of my internship, I was bombarded with a myriad of things that I may have the opportunity to participate in. It was a bit overwhelming and I didn’t get the chance to get excited about any particular one of them, but I was generally excited. Little did I know that the most exciting opportunity that was thrown on the table of “might happen” would actually, happen.
As my supervisor wandered by my desk unsuspectingly, he asked if I could get out of class on a Thursday and Friday in two weeks with no explanation. I responded with “most likely” and he kept walking. My mind began reeling with wishful thinking that I may possibly be helping with an upcoming event near Chicago. I didn’t get too excited, after all, he may have just wanted me to be in the office those days to hold down the fort. So I went on with my day, as usual, being the best intern ever.
All of a sudden, an Outlook notification popped up in the bottom right corner of my monitor. It said “Southwest Airlines.” I was a little perplexed and opened it hastily. It was my conformation number for a flight from BWI to Chicago Midway airport. It was determined I was helping with the event, even before getting Gerry’s permission to skip class on Friday.
The opportunity to do something like this made me ecstatic. Not because I got to travel, or because I got to get out of DC, but because it validated my supervisor's confidence in me. This meant he knew I could add value to the event. Being a student for 17 years, I was excited that I wasn’t expected to learn from lectures, but that I was given responsibilities and was able to learn from doing something.
The event was a debate on Christians’ responsibility to current environmental issues. The argument was whether Christians are responsible for stewarding the earth’s resources, or the earth is capable of providing and regenerating resources to sustain our energy needs. On one side, an economic genius, on the other side a theological genius, both Christians. They could not have disagreed more, and the economist’s sharp whit and short temper made this heated debate very entertaining. Afterward, my supervisor and I talked to both sides and found common ground with both people.
I learned a lot about myself, and about how these events work from this trip. It was also a crash course in professional development. I got to observe some quality schmoozing, as I would say in my native Yiddish, and learn how to organize events and make them happen. It was a whirlwind, but I loved it.
-JM
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