Week 4: History Colorado Center

The last week of my internship was also one of the bests (and I apologize for the lack of pictures again, I'm honestly really bad at remembering to take them).

As the last four weeks came to a close, I spent my time putting the finishing touches to any work I was doing. Whether that was meeting about the after school program or getting a few more sketch ideas in for the illustration book, I didn't want to leave anything undone or untouched by the time I was finished. 

But, I didn't just work.

That isn't to say that I sat around and didn't do anything, either. The last four week, however, was spent hanging out with my supervisor and a few others. On Wednesday, they took me out to lunch at an amazing phở spot on Capitol Hill. The lunch was spent having great conversations and some realizations too. Although I learned a lot about people in Colorado and the roads that they mapped out, I also learned how it felt to be valued and appreciated for my ideas and contributions. Interning at HCC helped me realize that what I say is important and that everyone should have a chance to have their voice listened too.

Going into History Colorado, I honestly had some low expectations. I wasn't sure what to expect and I was worried about being judged instantly for being a teenager straight out of high school, for my appearance (piercings and tattoos aren't really a positive thing to most employers), and though I was coming through as a member of the Latino Center, I was still worried about any racial prejudice I might have to deal with (or the idea that they wouldn't think of me as latinx enough).

I didn't find any of that there. What I found instead were honest connections with people older than me, networks I can rely on, and a place that I know I could always go to learn more and where there's always a spot open for me. 

My supervisor, April, is one of the smartest, busiest, kindest people I met. When she couldn't keep me busy, people like Steve (who's charming, funny, and has a voice that you can hear from a mile away that he shouldn't apologize for) or Caite (someone who's interesting to talk to, down to earth, and who I managed to get into one of my favorite cartoons) would have me pitch in wherever they needed me. They were great to work with, always there to explain what they needed, and probably giving me too much flattery when I got things done. I met other cool people like Marissa (check out The Year of La Chicana when it begins), Julie (a major person on the What's Your Story? exhibit), and Shaun (who gave me a tour of the archives) to name a few.

History Colorado met my expectations and more. Working there, even if it was only for a month, was definitely one of my best work experiences. Although I was an intern, I was appreciated and my opinions were valued. April made that clear to me at the lunch we shared and in the thank you card she gave me afterward. The amount of care History Colorado has doesn't stop at the exhibits and the work they do, but it's ingrained in the people who work there. It's a museum full of kindness and openness, something everyone that I met there shares. The energy is infectious. Everyone is friendly and you'll have no shortage of support.

History Colorado was a place where I felt valued. I learned so much from my experience and those things won't leave me. 

One thing I feel like could have been better, however, was the photo op cake for Colorado day. It was as dry as Colorado itself. The frosting was good, though.

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