Though my internship with the NSRC doesn’t involve a blue dress or political scandal (at least not yet) it has been one of the highlights of my first semester as a sexuality studies master’s student. I balked at the idea of applying when the opportunity first came up. Along with serving tables, reading and writing for three graduate courses, and trying to not turn into a social recluse, did I really want to file papers for a semester? No, of course not! What I did want to do was gain practical experience, network (a foggy concept) with other professionals, take a break from hard core theory, and enjoy myself. Once I was over my initial fear, thought about it seriously and applied, I was actually looking very forward to seeing what it was like to work in the field of sexuality.
One of the first tasks I was presented with as the new ‘Education and Training’ intern was helping coordinate a trip to San Juan for the SSSS conference. I could have been told I was going there to carry people’s luggage, just as long as there was sun, sand, and rum, I was thrilled. Fortunately, there was minimal physical activity involved, unless you count tanning by the pool or swimming in the ocean, and most of the time was spent telling people about the NSRC and Campus Coalition for Sexual Literacy. When I wasn’t acting as a spokesperson, I was able to attend some really amazing sessions, like one in particular around issues of sexuality and disability. At the conference, I was able to meet people from all over the world and was even offered a job after a conversation with some presenters (my heart belongs to NSRC though). I never really understood what this whole ‘networking’ thing was about until now. In my mind, it sounded like awkward conversation with total strangers out of an obligatory professional camaraderie. Don’t get me wrong, there are some ‘unique’ individuals out there, especially in the field of sexuality, with whom conversations border on ‘Wow, that was offensive’ or ‘I bet you just like the sound of your own voice’, but for the most part, there are some really great people that are genuinely interested in who you are and what you do. Talking with these folks felt like connecting with someone you had known your whole life. Part of me didn’t want to leave Puerto Rico, mostly the part that wanted to avoid midterms, but another part was reenergized and excited to come back to San Francisco with a new perspective on practical applications of sexuality studies.
After San Juan, the next big item I’d be working on as an intern was the 2009 Summer Institute. Most of the work for the SI would be done in the spring semester, but for now, I had the chance to work on website materials, participant contacts, and actual planning of the institute. You might want to stop for a glass of wine and a crusty baguette right about now, as there is some serious cheese coming up. With that said, it honestly feels really great to have your work and opinions validated by people you respect. It’s also amazing to see what you’ve worked on and put time and effort into actually become something and contribute to a larger project or idea. This is what I wanted out of an internship: a real learning experience that was relevant to my future goals, as well as connected to material in the courses I was taking.
All this semester working with the NSRC, I’ve never felt as though I’d been given ‘busy work’. Rather, I was part of work that was meant to challenge me and help me grow as a professional. I still have a ton to learn, both academically and professionally, but this internship has begun to connect those two paths and made the whole experience of graduate school that much more rewarding.
