Edit

I forgot to mention the paleo-anthropology! I got to hear Lee Berger speak earlier this week on his findings in South Africa. It was amazing. He has worked in the area for 17 years, and was still able to find a sight, the only sight so far, that held (or could hold more) the almost full skeleton of a child, female, and male hominid. It's going to be in NG Magazine soon, so... yeah.

Also, today I got to go up and visit one of the other interns that's working in the magazine division in page maps. I got to go to what is called a "final" where a photographer that has been working on assignment and it's basically their best photos from the assignment. It was AWESOME. I can't even describe it. So I basically saw all the photos that will be considered for a feature on wild and scenic rivers in a YEAR. Seriously, this place is awesome.

The First Four Weeks: Banff, Putney, and Paleo-anthroplogy! Oh My!

I know I said that I would write on this thing, but seriously, when I get home at night around seven (after working all day and then working out at the Y) writing down what’s been going on just isn’t very appealing. But here is the first month update!

In my first month, here is what I’ve gotten an chance to see/do:

- See John Fahey (President of NGS) speak about the internal future of NGS

- The first Saturday I was in town I went out on Friday night, to the National Portrait Gallery on Saturday (really really cool Elvis exhibit- started a blog post about it, but just couldn’t finish it), went to the Smithsonian American History Museum, and tried to hit up the Smithsonian Natural History Museum, followed immediately by some time with Auburn friends: DC edition.

- Went to Perry’s famous Drag Queen Brunch. Seriously- totally worth it.

- Have taken the full set of Total Research classes through the NGS Library (dork, I know)

- Have met with the people from Putney Student Travel and NGS Student Expeditions (interview on Sunday with them for a possible job this summer as a leader or instructor for various programs! Maybe my dream of traveling while someone else pays for it will finally come true!)

- Have had an intern lunch with the vice president of the Education Programs department here at NGS. He’s awesome, and super passionate about geography education. Could seriously sit and talk with him all day

- Went to a meeting about what’s coming out from the NG Kids Books division in the next two years, and I kind of wish I was still a kid or worked in that division

- Helped with a Webinar for Hill Day (March 3… more info to come)

- Got a tour of the NG Maps department- really wish I still knew how to do cartography and could have qualified for that internship. I heart maps

- Volunteered at the NGS showings of the Banff Film Festival World Tour- I saw four of the five nights worth of films for free, realized that that world still appeals to me, and just made my wander lust worse.

- I have fallen twice on ice here… I forgot how terrible east coast ice is. East Coast winter is definitely winning the battle.

I think that’s everything. I realize that not much of it is detailed, but if you want to know, just ask. This is about all I can muster right now, but I actually am going to try and be better about updates in the future. Promise.

Week 1

I am an intern. At 26. At National Geographic. How does that even happen?

I went back to school last fall because, well, 1) I had been looking for a teaching job in geography or history for over two years. Everyone tells you that there is always a need for teachers, there is so much job security, blah blah blah. Guess what- people are wrong. When the economy goes to hell, there aren't even any teaching jobs. Especially for social studies and English. I also went back to school because 2) I wanted to increase my knowledge about the subject of geography so that I could perhaps get a job actually teaching geography or work on public policy concerning geography education. I ended up at Nat Geo because my advisor suggested I apply. I applied, wrote a 500 word essay (hardest thing ever), managed to find the right people to write me letters of reference, and ta da!- internship! I found out on December 7, flew home on December 11, flew back west on January 9, started driving on January 12, and started working on January 18. It's been a whirlwind of a month, but it's been 100% worth it (even thought the temps hit negative 6 while driving through Missouri and my car had no heat. Meh).

I am currently working in the Education Programs Department, which is focused on creating easy to use lesson plans for teachers, geoliteracy, and geography education awareness and outreach. Exactly what I would like to be doing, so it's working out pretty well so far. I am personally working on reports for the various state alliance coordinators to take with them on Hill Day, the day they all go up on Capitol Hill to talk to their state representatives about the bill "Teaching Geography is Fundamental". This bill works towards getting geography federal funding as one of the five core school subjects. Really cool, right? (well- I think it's cool)

This is the main project I've been working on. This week has been mostly meetings, meeting people whose names I'm having trouble remembering, and trainings. This afternoon there was a lecture from the president of Nat Geo, John Fahey, about various future projects that are happening at Nat Geo. Afterwards there was a cocktail reception. I think I might work at the best place ever :)