One Summer in Vermilion. Vol. 1, Issue 11
I cannot believe that this is my last blog post! I had fun this summer and enjoyed this experience. For my fina blog, I thought I would reveal the top 10 life skills I gained this summer that I’m going to assume will come in handy in the future. I’ll have to admit that some filled me with confidence, others were funny and maybe a few humbling. Hey, I’m 20! I’ve got a lot to learn!
I’ve learned how to garden. Planting and watering flowers with Vermilion in Bloom are some of my favorite MSV moments. Gardening is one of those activities where it’s good to do alone, but it’s more fun with a group, and I enjoyed the camaraderie between the volunteers. I’ve found that I have a flair for gardening, so I’m glad that I learned about it during this internship! I now know the difference between a weed and a flower.
I’ve operated a power drill. Prior to this internship, I never used a power drill, let alone pick one up. One of my tasks consisted of installing screws in chairs. It was frustrating at times, but it is a good thing to know.
I have experience with a paper cutter, which like the power drill, I never used prior to this internship. The reason: I was always afraid of cutting my fingers. I ended the summer with all my fingers.and can now work a paper cutter like no one’s business.
I know how to make buttons. Marilou sent me to the library several times to create buttons. It was scary at first (I thought that I would break the machine), but it became fun. I may need this knowledge in the future, especially if I am part of a political campaign! I should have learned this skill in Girl Scouts, but I appreciate the knowledge more now than I ever would have as a child! Main Street uses lots of buttons to give to volunteers when they participate in a project or event.
I know how to use a cash register. I never had the chance to play around with the cash register; all of my purchases were real-world. I’ve done pretty good with it; I haven’t made a single mistake! If you don’t believe me, ask Judy Kernell!
I appreciate spreadsheets even more than I used to. I’ve edited several Google Sheets, and learned the importance of them. I always put things in a document, but sometimes you just need a spreadsheet to organize your information.
Servant leadership is extremely important! Life is better when one is willing to help others. I feel good whenever I help someone with a purchase or question about what to do in Vermilion.
I learned to ask questions or for help when needed! Long ago, I used to have trouble with asking people questions when I didn’t understand something. It’s because of the often-cited reason: I didn’t want to seem stupid. But, I’ve since learned that asking questions is actually a sign of intelligence, and people appreciate when one takes the time to understand their task. Thankfully, Marilou was able to answer all of my questions over the course of this internship!
Being accountable! School requires a certain level of accountability (attending class, taking exams, meeting homework deadlines) and so do jobs. This internship was totally different from my job at the Erie County Health Department. The health department had me perform a specific job, and only do that thing. This internship really had me doing something different every day! I admit some new things made me nervous (as change does for most people), but the main thing is that I worked through those insecurities and completed my tasks!
Last but not least, building relationships with people! This is the most important life skill that this internship has helped me acquire. I spoke with a real live person every day, whether the person was MSV staff, MSV board, business owner, or member of the general public. Growing up I was painfully shy. Now I find it easy to go past the initial greeting of “Hi, how are you?” I’m more likely to ask “Where are you from?” or “Let me know if you need anything,” opening up the conversation to questions about Vermilion. Most of the time, I have an easy answer, but will go to great lengths to find out the answer if I don’t know!
Since the start of this internship, my career plans have changed. I talked about going to law school after obtaining my bachelor’s degree, but now I want to pursue a master’s degree in public administration. I can easily see myself working for the government as well as the nonprofit sector. Interning with MSV has given me a realistic picture of life working for a nonprofit, and I can see how I can contribute to this line of work!
I know you’ll see me around Vermilion periodically. I believe in the work of Main Street Vermilion and was a vital part of contributing to its great work! Thank you, Marilou, Brenda, and Amy, for taking me in and making me feel like family! Thanks Vermilion (MSV board members, business owners, members of the general public) for your support of MSV and me! Most of all, I want to thank Randy Wagner of the Erie County Community Foundation for this wonderful opportunity! It was a pleasure serving you
Hayley Carter, MSV Intern
Note from the Director: Sometime we forget what being 20 is all about. It really was a pleasure working with Hayley this summer and arming her with a small cache of life skills as she returns to Bowling Green State University for her last year of undergrad studies. She forgot to mention that she learned to use a leaf blower and how to clean up the Canadian Soldiers that stick to the building in mid June. Thanks, girlie (as we called her). Happy to have you as part of the crew!