Blog 2 - Settling In (Jared)
Spreadsheets. I've been looking at so many spreadsheets this week. I keep telling myself I should watch some videos on Youtube so I can familiarize myself with Excel, but that hasn't happened yet. I've been working on getting people's flight information figured out for the Proctor Institute. I think this experience is going to be interesting for me because I will actually be able to see for myself what I was able to help put together when I attend the event next month.
I was able to go to the African American History Museum this week with some of the interns at the Children's Defense Fund. one thing that hit me while I was there was how important it is to not remain silent. One of the quotes that stuck with me was from Barack Obama. "Change will not come if we wait for some other person or... some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek." This quote hit me because it points out how important it is to work towards social change right now. While the United States has made some strides over time, we aren't moving forward on our own. We need people to continue to fight and work towards a better future. It doesn't matter if that future is better for a few, but we need to keep working to end the oppression of all people.
Today, we had a lot planned for the EYA cohort. We began by walking a labryinth in Maryland. This was the first time I had ever done so, and it was an enlightening and refreshing experience. It was especially relaxing to get out there after being surrounded by the fast pace of D.C. While I was there, I thought a lot more about what I wanted to get out of my time in D.C. While I'm here I want to find out what type of role I want to take on in a non-profit, and what issue really speaks to me the most. It is difficult to decide because not only are there so many issues, but they are all complex and intertwined with eachother. I hope God will guide me throughout my journey and help me understand where I can make the biggest impact.
After the labryinth, we met with different people who were connected with the GBCS and were doing work for social change. One speaker talked to us about social branding and networking. She made me realize that I should focus more on what strengths I have and what I can bring to the table to help an organization I might make a connection with. She also encouraged us to reach out to different people at our placements and learn ffrom them. I'm going to talk to different people at CDF and learn more about the different departments and try to figure out what type of work I want to be doing. This week has been very good for settling in at my placement and today has been great for reflection. I'm excited to continue working and learning about myself and God.
-Jared
I was able to go to the African American History Museum this week with some of the interns at the Children's Defense Fund. one thing that hit me while I was there was how important it is to not remain silent. One of the quotes that stuck with me was from Barack Obama. "Change will not come if we wait for some other person or... some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek." This quote hit me because it points out how important it is to work towards social change right now. While the United States has made some strides over time, we aren't moving forward on our own. We need people to continue to fight and work towards a better future. It doesn't matter if that future is better for a few, but we need to keep working to end the oppression of all people.
Today, we had a lot planned for the EYA cohort. We began by walking a labryinth in Maryland. This was the first time I had ever done so, and it was an enlightening and refreshing experience. It was especially relaxing to get out there after being surrounded by the fast pace of D.C. While I was there, I thought a lot more about what I wanted to get out of my time in D.C. While I'm here I want to find out what type of role I want to take on in a non-profit, and what issue really speaks to me the most. It is difficult to decide because not only are there so many issues, but they are all complex and intertwined with eachother. I hope God will guide me throughout my journey and help me understand where I can make the biggest impact.
After the labryinth, we met with different people who were connected with the GBCS and were doing work for social change. One speaker talked to us about social branding and networking. She made me realize that I should focus more on what strengths I have and what I can bring to the table to help an organization I might make a connection with. She also encouraged us to reach out to different people at our placements and learn ffrom them. I'm going to talk to different people at CDF and learn more about the different departments and try to figure out what type of work I want to be doing. This week has been very good for settling in at my placement and today has been great for reflection. I'm excited to continue working and learning about myself and God.
-Jared
I am so glad that you are busy at Children's Defense Fund it good that you are connecting your spreadsheet work to the larger goals and work of the organization. It is also meaningful to see your processing and hopes to use this time to discern where your gifts and passions may lead you to serve in the non-profit world. Do take advantage of getting to know others in your organization and having your fellow EYAs and the internship staff as conversation partners.
ReplyDeleteKatie