Weelky update 3 (the last one)
Wow. What happened to these past three weeks? It feels like just yesterday when I was stepping off the plane into a fog-covered Austin. And now, I’m packing my suitcase and prepping for my return flight tomorrow.
Before I talk about this experience as a whole, let me quickly summarize what I’ve been doing this last week. In the beginning, I was working on my advertising video, but when I reached the editing phase an unfortunate fact was revealed: I have no video editing skills whatsoever. I walked into this project with the mistaken confidence that one Digital Arts project on flash animation had made me an expert in videography. It was a hard slap in the face, but a needed one. Now, I would have probably been able to make a video in the end, but it wouldn't’ be anywhere near the standards that I hold my work to. I wanted to make the Meadows Center something that they’d actually use, not just store on some dusty hard drive.
So, for the second time, I changed my project to creating a slideshow presentation for the Center. It would accomplish the same goal that my video strived for, which was informing the public about what the Meadows Center is and the work that is done there. I still wanted to create something that was visually stimulating, so instead of making a generic powerpoint, I used Prezi (shameless plug there), which I think makes the traditional presentation more intriguing and memorable. Unlike my first project, it had the added bonus of being realistic and achievable. I had to work very long and hard hours for the rest of the week, but I was able to finish everything in time. I was lucky int the fact that I could use most of the script and photographs that I collected for the video. I’m happy to say that my presentation will eventually be added to the Meadows Center website and used for training new employees and for informing the public during conventions. The “LINK Project” page to see my final product.
Moving away from my project, I’ve had a very eye-opening and thought-provoking few weeks, and feel confident in making a few observations about myself and by extension, my career. First of all, despite how quiet I am sometimes, I am a people person and I need a good amount of social interaction in my life. Sitting in quiet solitude just isn’t me. Another interesting thing is that I like multitasking. I’m better at accomplishing 100 small projects instead of just one giant one. However, I did learn about how to easily break down a big project into many smaller and easily manageable parts. That is a skill that will aid me greatly in the years to come. My final revelation is a slightly paradoxical one: I like working outside but not if I have to work inside at the same time. What I mean by this is that I’d rather spend all of my time working indoors instead of splitting myself between both the outdoors and indoors. I know that’s confusing, but it makes sense to me.
These past three weeks have had their fair share of ups and downs, but upon reflection I’ve concluded that it was a very enjoyable and memorable experience. I do feel that I’ve walked away a little “different.” I can’t describe how but I do feel more aware in a way. The skills that I’ve learned here are invaluable and I look forward to using them for the rest of my life. Thank you for reading and following my Leading Internships for New Knowledge experience. Feel free to view the rest of my projects and to contact me with any questions.
Before I talk about this experience as a whole, let me quickly summarize what I’ve been doing this last week. In the beginning, I was working on my advertising video, but when I reached the editing phase an unfortunate fact was revealed: I have no video editing skills whatsoever. I walked into this project with the mistaken confidence that one Digital Arts project on flash animation had made me an expert in videography. It was a hard slap in the face, but a needed one. Now, I would have probably been able to make a video in the end, but it wouldn't’ be anywhere near the standards that I hold my work to. I wanted to make the Meadows Center something that they’d actually use, not just store on some dusty hard drive.
So, for the second time, I changed my project to creating a slideshow presentation for the Center. It would accomplish the same goal that my video strived for, which was informing the public about what the Meadows Center is and the work that is done there. I still wanted to create something that was visually stimulating, so instead of making a generic powerpoint, I used Prezi (shameless plug there), which I think makes the traditional presentation more intriguing and memorable. Unlike my first project, it had the added bonus of being realistic and achievable. I had to work very long and hard hours for the rest of the week, but I was able to finish everything in time. I was lucky int the fact that I could use most of the script and photographs that I collected for the video. I’m happy to say that my presentation will eventually be added to the Meadows Center website and used for training new employees and for informing the public during conventions. The “LINK Project” page to see my final product.
Moving away from my project, I’ve had a very eye-opening and thought-provoking few weeks, and feel confident in making a few observations about myself and by extension, my career. First of all, despite how quiet I am sometimes, I am a people person and I need a good amount of social interaction in my life. Sitting in quiet solitude just isn’t me. Another interesting thing is that I like multitasking. I’m better at accomplishing 100 small projects instead of just one giant one. However, I did learn about how to easily break down a big project into many smaller and easily manageable parts. That is a skill that will aid me greatly in the years to come. My final revelation is a slightly paradoxical one: I like working outside but not if I have to work inside at the same time. What I mean by this is that I’d rather spend all of my time working indoors instead of splitting myself between both the outdoors and indoors. I know that’s confusing, but it makes sense to me.
These past three weeks have had their fair share of ups and downs, but upon reflection I’ve concluded that it was a very enjoyable and memorable experience. I do feel that I’ve walked away a little “different.” I can’t describe how but I do feel more aware in a way. The skills that I’ve learned here are invaluable and I look forward to using them for the rest of my life. Thank you for reading and following my Leading Internships for New Knowledge experience. Feel free to view the rest of my projects and to contact me with any questions.
Day 15
Well, my mentor liked my project and accepted immediately after submission. I spent the rest of my day compiling and going through all of the photos that I've taken. I've also been saying my goodbyes and getting the emails of the people I've been working with.
Day 14
I'm happy to say that on my second to last day of LINK, after a LONG day of work, I was able to submit my completed project to my mentor and his colleges for revision! Tomorrow I'll make some refinements that they are bound to recommend, and then I will have completed my project!
Day 13
Today was a work day. I rewrote my script to be compatible with a slideshow, I then complied and edited everything into a PowerPoint. It didn't feel quite right in the sense that I thought there should be something more to it. So, I started making a Prezi instead. They are more interactive and interesting than traditional presentations. However, my computer was experiencing some difficulties so I had to spend the remainder of my day fixing it. All is well and I am nearing completion! Let's just hope I don't have to change my project again...
Day 12
Yet again I spent the entirety of the day working on editing the video together. Although I worked for seven hours straight, I am no closer to finishing than I was yesterday. Due to my daunting time constraints, my mentor and I have decided to change my project again. Instead of making an informative video, I will compile an informative presentation with a slideshow that the Meadows Center can use during conventions and seminars. Luckily, I've already gathered all of the needed images and information, so all I have to do is create the slideshow and alter the script. Hopefully with a solid day of work tomorrow I will get a rough draft completed by Thursday.
Day 11
After a very relaxing weekend, I had a rather stressful day. Because the University is on Spring Break at the moment, I've been working from the house. It was nice being able to sit out on the porch instead of at a desk. However, the editing process is not what I expected it to be. I've had some experience with creating short and rather basic videos in the past, but this undertaking may be far beyond my abilities. It needs to be of professional caliber in order to be exhibited on the website. After working all day, I'm not even finished with the first 30 seconds of the video. With the amount of information that needs to be conveyed, coupled with the small amount of time that remains, I'm doubting the practicality of this project. I don't want to give up. I'm going to run this dilemma past Andy tonight and see what he has to say about it.
Weekly Update 2
Another week has come and gone. It started off a bit bumpy with my visit to the Archaeology department. I helped them with cleaning, cataloging, analyzing, and storing the lithics (tiny rocks) from one of the more recent digs. I discovered that Archaeology is a very methodical and slowly paced practice; one day in the field yields ten or more days in the lab. I can’t pinpoint a specific reason why, but it didn’t really “click” with me. As a result I decided to stick with the diving work but am very glad that I tried it out.
The next day my scuba instructor returned from a convention in Houston so we were able to resume my training. However, as soon as we began our descend underwater my left ear began hurting again. I wasn’t sick and my allergies were fine. It wasn’t a flaw in my equalization technique either because my right ear was fine. As a result I’ve had to resign from getting my PADI scuba certification. My speculation is that I have some underlying ear condition that I previously wasn't aware of. Once I return to Durango I’ll see a doctor about the matter.
This left me a bit disheartened and without a project. So, I had an idea to turn to Shane Townsend, the public relations specialist at the Center. He handles everything that has to do with websites and social media, just like what I do for the Quill. After talking it out, we came up with a new project for me.
My new goal is to produce an introductory video for the Meadows Center website that informs the general populace about who the Meadows Center is and what they do and why the do it.
I spent the rest of the week gathering photo and video footage, as well as conducting in-depth research about the history of the Center as well as talking with the heads of each department to see what it is that they do. Next week I’m going to finish up my interviews and edit everything together. I’m a little cautious about my video editing skills, considering that I haven’t done anything like this since Freshman year in Digital Arts. However, I think that I’ll still be able to produce a professional product with the aid of Google, YouTube tutorials, and other varying resources.
Because I’ve changed my project halfway through my internship, I’m going to have to draw upon all of my time management skills to make sure that I’m able to finish on time. The majority of my upcoming week is devoted to work on this video. But I do hope that I’ll have some free time to go out into the field and work with the Biologists.
The week had its ups and downs but managed to flatten out in the end. I’m excited to continue along this video process and see what the final product looks like.
The next day my scuba instructor returned from a convention in Houston so we were able to resume my training. However, as soon as we began our descend underwater my left ear began hurting again. I wasn’t sick and my allergies were fine. It wasn’t a flaw in my equalization technique either because my right ear was fine. As a result I’ve had to resign from getting my PADI scuba certification. My speculation is that I have some underlying ear condition that I previously wasn't aware of. Once I return to Durango I’ll see a doctor about the matter.
This left me a bit disheartened and without a project. So, I had an idea to turn to Shane Townsend, the public relations specialist at the Center. He handles everything that has to do with websites and social media, just like what I do for the Quill. After talking it out, we came up with a new project for me.
My new goal is to produce an introductory video for the Meadows Center website that informs the general populace about who the Meadows Center is and what they do and why the do it.
I spent the rest of the week gathering photo and video footage, as well as conducting in-depth research about the history of the Center as well as talking with the heads of each department to see what it is that they do. Next week I’m going to finish up my interviews and edit everything together. I’m a little cautious about my video editing skills, considering that I haven’t done anything like this since Freshman year in Digital Arts. However, I think that I’ll still be able to produce a professional product with the aid of Google, YouTube tutorials, and other varying resources.
Because I’ve changed my project halfway through my internship, I’m going to have to draw upon all of my time management skills to make sure that I’m able to finish on time. The majority of my upcoming week is devoted to work on this video. But I do hope that I’ll have some free time to go out into the field and work with the Biologists.
The week had its ups and downs but managed to flatten out in the end. I’m excited to continue along this video process and see what the final product looks like.
Day 10
Today was a hard-core work day. I started by re-sizing water discharge graphs for the biology team, and the proceeded to go out and video some B-roll footage for my video. It was my fist time using a Go-Pro so there were a couple frustrating moments. Nonetheless I got all of the footage so all that I need now is to conduct an interview with Andy on Monday morning and I will be able to begin editing everything together.
Day 9
Nothing too exciting happened today. I wrote and revised the script for the video (which was very arduous) and gathered a plethora of photographs. I'm very excited for this final product.
Day 8
Today wasn't one of my best. Sam got back from Houston today, meaning that I could continue my PADI course. After getting geared up and in the water, my left ear began to hurt yet again as we were descending. Despite multiple attempts to remedy the ailment, my ear wouldn't stop hurting (it felt very pressurized). So due to safety concerns I'm no longer getting my certification. This is disappointing because I really wanted to go scuba diving, so once I get back to Durango I'll see what a doctor has to say about everything. I spend the rest of the day finishing the storyboard for the video.
Day 7
Today I met with Shane Townsend who is the Public Relations Director here at the MSWE. I am now officially creating a video for the Meadows Center with the end goal of it being displayed on their website. The video will take a brief look at the Meadows Center and its four underlying branches of operation in order to inform the uninformed public about what the Meadows Center is all about. I spend the day creating a schedule and a preliminary storyboard for the video and am awaiting its approval.
Day 6
Today I've gotten very acquainted with a toothbrush, some water, and a couple hundred lithics (pieces of other rocks that have been eroded down to sand size and now are sand grains in a sedimentary rock). I worked in the Archeology department and learned about what happens to everything after an archeological dig: it is cleaned, sorted, counted, categorized, digitized, placed in a box, and then stored away until a professor or graduate student wants to look at them. It's nice to finally know what the average archeologist does on a day-to-day basis. Unfortunately I was not enamored with enthusiasm or excitement today and most likely will not be following an archeological career.
Weelky Update 1
I can’t believe my first week here has already passed. Of course, I did miss a day due to travel complications. I stood in a line for customer service a total of three and a half hours! That’s a lot of standing. When combined with other choleric individuals Monday was by far my least favorite day. To make up for this delay, the moment I arrived at the breathtakingly beautiful Meadows Center I was put to work. I helped one of my mentors, Sam Meacham, test an underwater radio that allowed scuba divers who wore a mask resembling Darth Vader’s, to communicate with people at the surface.
I was then given the tour and met tons of people, many of whose names I’m still trying to remember. I’m staying with my other mentor, Andy Samson, who is the director of the Meadows Center. His house is extremely comfortable and him and his wife Nona welcomed me like a member of my family. Being away from home is tough, but they are making it a lot easier.
The next couple of days I worked on my PADI scuba certification. I completed a 12 hour online academic course and got acquainted with all of the gear. I completed my first closed water dive in the university pool located five minutes from the center. Unfortunately, I seem to have contracted a head cold of some kind that resulted in blocked ears. This forced me to cancel the last two days of diving because if your ears are blocked, they risk rupturing when diving. So instead of diving I spent the remainder of my time conducting one of hopefully many mentor interviews and taking a copious amount of pictures for my project.
Some challenges that I’ve faced this week is being away from home and having to put off my diving training. As I’ve previously mentioned, my mentor is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met and makes staying here very comfortable. As for the scuba, there’s nothing I can do about this situation other than drink lots of water, rest, and hope that it goes away by Monday.
One of my favorite experiences so far is the schedule. I’m still getting up at 6:30 am just like when I’m going to school, but I’m now able to sit down and have a breakfast, browse the web a little, and then go into work; which is a stark opposite to stuffing down breakfast and running out the door. When you combine that with the hour long lunch breaks, I gained a greater feeling of freedom and a sense that I have more time in my day than I actually do.
For the upcoming week, I’m looking forward to continuing my scuba certification and working with the resident archaeologist. I can’t wait!
I was then given the tour and met tons of people, many of whose names I’m still trying to remember. I’m staying with my other mentor, Andy Samson, who is the director of the Meadows Center. His house is extremely comfortable and him and his wife Nona welcomed me like a member of my family. Being away from home is tough, but they are making it a lot easier.
The next couple of days I worked on my PADI scuba certification. I completed a 12 hour online academic course and got acquainted with all of the gear. I completed my first closed water dive in the university pool located five minutes from the center. Unfortunately, I seem to have contracted a head cold of some kind that resulted in blocked ears. This forced me to cancel the last two days of diving because if your ears are blocked, they risk rupturing when diving. So instead of diving I spent the remainder of my time conducting one of hopefully many mentor interviews and taking a copious amount of pictures for my project.
Some challenges that I’ve faced this week is being away from home and having to put off my diving training. As I’ve previously mentioned, my mentor is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met and makes staying here very comfortable. As for the scuba, there’s nothing I can do about this situation other than drink lots of water, rest, and hope that it goes away by Monday.
One of my favorite experiences so far is the schedule. I’m still getting up at 6:30 am just like when I’m going to school, but I’m now able to sit down and have a breakfast, browse the web a little, and then go into work; which is a stark opposite to stuffing down breakfast and running out the door. When you combine that with the hour long lunch breaks, I gained a greater feeling of freedom and a sense that I have more time in my day than I actually do.
For the upcoming week, I’m looking forward to continuing my scuba certification and working with the resident archaeologist. I can’t wait!
Day 5
Today was a very eventful day. My ears are still plugged, sadly preventing me from diving. However, I was able to meet my mentor Sam's twin 11 year old boys who are very sweet. We as a group spent the morning walking around talking about the history of the Meadows Center and taking pictures. I then brainstormed and conducted an interview with Sam. Even after the recorder ceased the conversation went on for another hour and a half! The afternoon was spent editing those photos, playing soccer with the twins, and editing the interview file.
Day 4
Unfortunately today was spent resting in my room. I seem to have contracted an ear / head cold as a likely result from traveling in a confined metal tube with 75 or so people. That aids in the explanation as to why I was unable to equalize yesterday. Clogged sinuses equals no scuba. I'be been hitting the water and Mucinex and plan on being back in the game tomorrow!
Day 3
I started off the day by getting geared up and into my first open water dive in the lake. However, my ears wouldn't equalize so the dive had to be canceled. I spent the remainder of the day finishing the online academic course.
Day 2
My first official day of LINK! The weather here is foggy and cold, but I was able to get aquatinted with everyone and get familiar with the spaces that I'll be in for the next few weeks. I was put straight to work with helping testing a underwater communications system that would allow divers under water to communicate with visitors on the surface riding in a glass bottom boat. I continued my online certification course and got outfitted with scuba gear and completed all of the physical fitness tests as well as completing my first dive in the university's pool. I've been given some homework to continue my online coursework tonight.
Day 1: Monday / sunday
This first day of my LINK experience was spent enjoying the nuances of air travel. I had intended to arrive in Austin yesterday, but weather affected many flights, mine included. So after standing for over three hours in customer support lines and spending the night in Denver, I finally arrived in Austin at 7 pm today. Sadly, I've missed a day with my mentor but have started my PADI open water diver certification course online while at the airport. Can't wait for my first "official" day tomorrow!