Don't forget to watch it in HD!
What digital gym looks liketake back the alley 2015Self-advocacyComing into this internship, one of my biggest fears was, I would have nothing to do and no one to ask. The fact of just sitting there feeling useless is what scared me the most about going into internship. I knew that after a while I would become more comfortable asking if anyone needed help, but in the beginning it felt like that time would never come.
It turns out that this internship was exactly what I was afraid of. (thats not a bad thing) I found myself finishing tasks and I not having a specific task next. I would either ask one of my mentors OR figure it out on my own. (I talked a little more about this in my previous post) Usually I would just ask the receptionist if they had any work I could help them with, or one of my mentors would have an idea of what I should be working on, to a administration task. It's crazy now that I think about it. I have gradually became more comfortable with talking to someone I had just met. I came into this internship not knowing anyone, now I feel like I've met and talked to so many new faces. It makes me really happy to say that I've made new friends, and so far overcame my awkwardness! College and Career ConnectionsDuring my time here so far, I've definitely been exposed to what its like in a "real world job." One of the main differences that I've noticed is, I have to take responsibility for my self when I don't have a next task. It isn't like school where we have a whole to-do check list, and if your done with that then do homework. I have to go to the mentor or staff and ask if they have any jobs for me to do. If it isn't that then I figure out what to do myself.
I really enjoy how Digital Gym is a very relaxed environment. They trust that we are getting our work done, or that we show up on time in the morning and from lunch. One thing that I learned from my mentor Amanda is: It is always good to speak up for yourself. Since she began working she realized that people will take advantage of you if they know you wont speak up. So since then she has gained confidence, and now she describes herself as a people person. Internship project!For the internship project I will be creating a video about the previous event Digital Gym hosted. Take Back the Alley. The mission is to transform alley ways in the community and make them a less feared and more inviting, creative space. Qualcomm volunteers come each year to help be the change in the alleys. My job is to put together a short video about what went on during the course of the 3 days. When the next years Qualcomm volunteers come in, they can be shown the video and learn about what the event was all about and what it entailed.
I am also doing a personal project. One where I can learn about all of the different equipment that goes into making a well crafted, professional short film. My goal is to create a mini documentary, or a spoken word about a social justice topic that I am passionate about. Mentor interviewI interviewed my Mentor, Amanda. I learned that she is a mom of two children and two dogs. She is also a graduate of SDSU and majored in Psychology. During her time in college she always managed to work a full time job. She worked at Sea world and a Mental health clinic before Digital Gym. I couldn't resist and I had to ask the dreaded question: What are your weaknesses and strengths. She went on to tell me that she feels her strengths are that she is very organized, a people person and she is detail oriented. According to Amanda, her biggest weakness is procrastination.
Amanda started working with Digital Gym about 2 years ago. She was referred to the organization by an accountant she worked for. Her role is the Operations Manager, which being an accountant is a big role for what she does on a daily basis. She also interviews and hires interns. I had asked her what it was like to work with interns, or what type of role does she usually give them and she replied saying that she focuses on trying to give them the experience of what its like to work in the real world by giving them individual work and making sure it is hands on. My mentors favorite part about working at Digital Gym is the atmosphere. She also enjoys being able to be organized there. Not to forget the she really stands by the organizations mission. We finished up the interview by talking about her favorite memory there and a time she felt really successful at work. A time she felt most successful was when she was getting ready to go on maternity leave and she created a training manual for the replacement accountant. Lastly, her favorite memory was their last holiday party when the whole staff went to a trampoline park.
A lot of aspects of Digital Gym remind me of High Tech. It is a place where a lot of art is displayed, and they promote self expression. The majority of my first 3 days consisted of cleaning keyboards, loading contact data into a website named Kintera, and working on submitting existing videos into a film festival. I am learning on how to work by myself in a work environment. It is very different from school. At school I usually have a good idea about what my day is going to look like
First ImpressionsI had a really great first day! I had a fun time getting to know the staff, they're very friendly and welcoming. I was really surprised about how passionate they are about making their work space inviting and a place where the youth feels comfortable. I also didn't know that I would be working along side two other interns. I met a woman named Lisa who I will be working one on one a lot during my time there. She is extremely nice and a comfortable person to be around.
I am super super excited to get assigned my project because my mentors (Amanda, and Lisa) had some pretty good ideas. Also! They are having an event on Thursday May 14th and Friday May 15, called Take Back the Alley. The are going to be upgrading their courtyard space and an alley way near by to make the area much nicer, and artistic. I am very excited to help with that project and get some good pictures for the blog. That's all for today! Until next time, this is Alyssa signing off from the Digital Gym internship. |
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