By Samantha Anthony
When I first began my internship at the Women’s Center in August, I was thrilled to be involved with an organization that has a meaningful purpose. Although my position as the blog editor left me in charge of our online presence, the greatest lessons I learned this semester were from my interactions with coworkers, students, and faculty in the Women’s Center. Not only did I add an extensive amount of material to my writing portfolio, but I also formed relationships which I will be thankful for long after my time here has ended.
I know I will miss working for the Women’s Center, but I’m looking forward to graduation and the completion of my undergraduate education at UMKC. Now that I am nearly finished with my internship, I feel (somewhat) more confident about what I’d like to do with the rest of my life. I dropped my minor completely in October to focus on my major, English language and literature. Following graduation, I will be moving somewhere much sunnier and warmer for a refreshing change of scenery. I’ve found a job unrelated to my major which will support me during a much-needed gap year. I know the importance of knowledge, but I can’t wait to forget about school for awhile and focus on my personal and professional growth. My plans are constantly changing, but graduate school is a major possibility for me. The coming year will consist of building a writing portfolio and applying to jobs more related to English, editing, and journalism. I have developed a love for journalism this semester through my contributions to the Women’s Center blog and University News. Although the Women’s Center blog is more opinion-based, I was able to work on my writing skills and master the art of advocacy through the written word. For the first time, I felt the gratification of providing support to a woman in need. Without this experience, I would not have discovered my passion for hands-on work.
This internship has impacted me in a way that is difficult to put into words. While I cared about feminist issues before joining the Women’s Center staff, I am now much more educated. I know about women’s issues and current events, and I am able to list multiple resources for any woman who may be seeking help. When something happens, instead of posting my thoughts on social media and then forgetting about it, I try to do something more impactful with my emotions. No matter where life takes me, I will continue to nurture my devotion to women and gender equality, and I know that I’ll look back fondly on the time I spent representing one of the best organizations at UMKC.