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 :)