My internship began in June, a few days after graduating, I was a bit scared and intimidated from going from an academic environment to a working and professional environment but I was ready for the challenge. My supervisor supported me during my challenging times, but most importantly allowed me to explore different ideas, which in turn allowed me to produce different Story Maps as well as other projects.
One of my Story Maps was of Southern Arizona, which to my surprise I was able to travel to, where I meet new people and partners, and most importantly match the pictures and stories I had read so much about to the real place and grasp what the expedition felt during their journey. I was able to also visit different expedition sites in the Bay Area I would have never even thought about. Prior to my internship like many, I never knew the Anza Trail existed but learning its story and its importance I am happy to say I was able to raise some awareness of its existence and its story, and have joined the community of Anza Trail enthusiasts.
But not all of my internship focused on the Trail but also had a more personal side of it, with the encouragement of my supervisor I grew personally and professionally, I am known to be shy but I stepped out of my comfort zone and talked to partners to help me with my projects, I talked to professionals about their careers to help me figure out my own future career, and most importantly, I went backpacking for my first time at Lassen Volcanic National Park with a group called Women in the Wilderness. During my time with the Anza Trail I explored and learned so much, things I have never thought I would learn. My time with the Anza Trail has reached its end, but I will always remember my time here and hope that you all enjoy my projects that are to come such as the Places to Go Map, Story Maps for Southern Arizona and Imperial Valley among others. Once again Thank You to all those who made this experience one of the best ones I have ever had. Thanks to this internship it has opened many doors for my future.
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Stay tuned on the Anza Trail blog as we roll out Lizzet’s wonderful work as new online features! We’ll be highlighting them over the next few months.
Interested in becoming a LHIP Intern for the Anza Trail summer 2018? Applications are due February 6, 2018! Apply online on the Latino Heritage Internship website.