This week in my seminar course I had to complete 
a strategic plan assignment. The task is a way to research one’s professional goals and interests, while brainstorming the necessary education and experience to work towards a desired job or career. For me, this assignment conjured major emotions of anxiety and excitement.

Professionally, I am most interested in
campaigns, congressional staffing, and nonprofits. Being in DC and talking to experts in all three of these areas have taught me that the steps to pursue these professions are anything but concrete.  However, I have observed one major theme that always is advised to me. this to be proactive, and network as much as
possible.   In all honesty I did not understand the hype surrounding networking when I first arrived in DC, but networking is EVERYTHING. Every professional I have met here
has earned their position through successful networking. Thank goodness I have business cards! While making my strategic plan I kept networking in mind, as I
realize it will have a big impact on my professional future.

I organized my strategic plan with a time frame of three years.  Before even starting I had set  ideas that I was
certain of. Upon my research I  was genuinely surprised of the other academic and proffesional options I have available to me. For example, upon my research of AmeriCorps I found that I am  am seriously interested in the program, and with careful preparttion could beocme a reality. The  plan forced me to make decisions and think about things that are not always comfortable. After listing my dream grad schools I was forced to research schools outside of my interest.  By doing this, I found schools I had never given a thought of previously. The plan opened my eyes to new possibilities, while at the same time maintaining an organized plan of action.

I find strategic planning very helpful. On the journey to my desired careers who knows what else could come my way? I am trying to stay as determined as possible in pursuing my  professional ambitions, all the while
trying not to freak out too much.  Short term (the next few months) I plan to conduct more informational
interviews and tour grad schools in the area.

On another note, this week I had the privilege of attending the Robert F. Kennedy Book and Journalism Awardsat the Newseum.  Besides hearing about remarkable people and their stories, I also had the chance to meet Natalie Morales from NBC news. I am a very big fan of her and her work, as proven by my nerdy excitement when introducing myself to her.  I was so excited to meet her I just started talking about how big of a fan I was, completely forgetting to mention my name  (no worries though I had a nametag and she made sure to address me by my name). Also in attendance was Kerry Kennedy.  I was thrilled to be able to pay respect to Robert F. Kennedy and all he stood for; the awards ceremony was yet another experience that made me love this city even more.

The more time passes here in D.C. the more exciting events that
occur. This past week I was able to attend both a Nationals baseball game and
Capitals hockey game, as well as volunteer at an organization known as Bread for
the City. These experiences were super exciting, but the focal points of my week
would be interviewing a congressional staffer, and volunteering at the National
Conference on Citizenship (NCOC) conference. In just two days I made memories
that I will long not forget.

Before jumping into the events that occurred during my interview
and at the conference I think it is important to provide the background
information of how I ended up conducting an important interview with a congressional
staffer, and volunteering at a national conference, all in a matter of forty eight hours.

During my fall 2012 semester I was able to take a course at Nazareth College known
as Campaigns, Voters, and Elections with Dr. Kneeland. This class was a game
changer that ultimately opened my eyes to the professional goals I wish to pursue.
While in the class we were able to Skype with a Nazareth Alumni who was serving as
Finance Deputy Director for a senatorial campaign. The Skype session was very memorable; 
it was not long after I arrived in Washington that I reached out to my professor so that
could contact those Nazareth Alumni I found so interesting. Within a matter of
weeks I found myself sitting in a congressional building, interviewing a
congressional staffer. This was HUGE for me; I learned so much and gained so
much new understanding for the field. I am so grateful to have been exposed to
 such a professional resource.

Transitioning from the interview to the conference I will now explain how such
fortunate events occurred. On Wednesday of this past week I was informed by my
supervisor that volunteers were needed for the NCOC conference. In all honesty I did not know
what that was, but  a wise person told me in order to experience D.C. to the fullest do not be
afraid to say yes, so I said yes, I would volunteer for the conference on both Thursday and Friday.
The NCOC waschartered by Congress in 1946. According to their official website the NCOC,
“continuously explores what shapes today’s citizenry, define the evolving role of the individual in
our democracy, and uncover ways to motivate greater participation.” At the conference I had
the duty of greeting and ushering. These duties, made it possible to meet
everyone that attended the conference. This also made it very possible to network and
meet, if only briefly, the first ever woman four star general, a running back for the Washington
Redskins, David Rubenstein, several Congressmen and women, and the founder ofMobilize.org!
(where I intern). While ushering people to their seats Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen asked to
take a picture with me! I am not entirely sure why, but I was honored, and gladly took her
staffers business card. The conference ended with a naturalization ceremony,
something I had never witnessed. Witnessing a naturalization ceremony not only
in D.C. in the U.S institute of Peace, but with the Lincoln memorial as the
backdrop has to be one of the most memorable and beautiful experiences I have
ever had.

On a side note, my internship not only gave me the opportunity to
participate an incredible experience, I am also participating in some exciting
event planning. My ideas are being seriously considered and I look forward to
going into more detail as the event
nears.

On an endnote, I had an incredible week, met wonderful people,
and increased my excitement for whatever else is to come my
way.

Besides taking classes in D.C I also have the pleasure of being an intern
at a nonprofit known as Mobilize.org. This is an organization that specializes
in implementing solutions to social problems for the millennial generation
(young adults born between the years 1976 and
1996).  The organization was founded in 2002 on the University of Berkley
campus by David B. Smith. He and his fellow peers successfully blocked an increase
in tuition that would have made it no longer possible for many students to  attend
the University anymore. From there the organization was born. According to the
official website, “Mobilize.org has grown into an organization that harnesses
the unique attributes and passion of the Millennial Generation to identify and
address problems of concern to society, and provide Millennials with resources
needed to implement solutions". I remember reading this statement while I was
deciding to apply for this internship, and remembering it really resonating.
This is an organization that I can firmly stand behind as I passionately agree
with the importance of their mission.

I serve as the program and special events intern, which in my
understanding, covers a variety of different projects and tasks. I first arrived
at a very busy time for the organization, as they were preparing for a summit
in Philadelphia. Summits are a time where the organization presents a unique
process of “problem solving and collaboration to various communities around the
country". I was very impressed and excited by my supervisor’s enthusiasm for the
Summit event. It was apparent of my supervisor’s investment in the success of
the event. I was privileged to help with the little things in order to prepare them.
From packing folders to packing up the vans, I was happy to have helped  in some way.  

Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the summit
itself, but that does not mean I do not know of the events that happened. After
the event, I was able to learn about the programs, speakers, and events that
occurred.  I have only been there a week, and I still have
so much to learn about the inner workings of a nonprofit.
However, I have had to the chance to research other nonprofits and brief my
supervisor, collaborate on ideas for a new events, and set up an informational
interview (which I am SUPER excited about).

One of the best moments I have had so far was my orientation. My
specific requirements for this internship include signing up for a grant writing
class through the Foundation Center. The center is a nonprofit itself that
helps those interested and apart of the nonprofit world buy offering things such
as classes. Additionally, I have to book a community service project, blog, help
develop a fundraiser, make a presentation, and conduct an informational
interview. My supervisor ended my orientation with the question of what we
wanted to get out of this internship. Not only that, she stressed about how
much she truly cared we benefit from this experience. I hope for great things
from this internship, the environment seems one of encouragement and passion. I
look forward to sharing more of my experiences; this is still the very beginning
of things.

 I sometimes have to remind myself that yes in fact I am both a
student and intern in Washington, D.C. For a while I have known that this was
something that I truly wanted to do. I knew I wanted to live and study in our
nation’s capital, but to actually be here after the anticipation, applications,
and interviews is a completely separate feeling that is sometimes hard to
believe. Before my internship or classes even started I can confidently say that
my peers and I took full advantages of our surroundings, exploring all corners
of the city.

National Sculpture Garden , National Gallery, U-street,  Jazz Concert at the
National Sculpture Garden, National Monument Night walk, Nation Air and Space
museum, African American Civil War museum, it is  hard
to believe how much we have accomplished in one Labor day weekend.  I
was able to watch fireworks from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial! I am still
not over the excitement of that.  The experiences from this past week have
only heightened my excitement and expectations of what my experiences will come
to be here.

I am so grateful to those who have helped me get to this
point-the Washington Internship Institute, those at my home institution of
Nazareth College, and of course my parents. I have so much to say in the next
coming months; I look forward to sharing information regarding my internship at
Mobilize.org, my classes, and my adventures. So in the end, why did I come
 here? I came to D.C. because I believed this was the place to get an 
 incomparable experience, and if things keep going as awesome as they have been
 so far, I will be proud to say I picked exactly the right
place.