Everything Good Always Comes to an End

Monday

Today was our last day of CHCI programming. The first part of the day we looked at different people's blog posts that were written for Professor Bartel. At the beginning of the summer, she assigned us the task of creating a blog post about an issue that involves Latino people. I did mine on the challenges and solutions Latino students face when obtaining quality education. The professor read all of them beforehand and she picked ten that she thought were the best. Those ten were looked at in class and then naturally some discussion came after reading them. After this, we did different sessions of programming with CHCI.

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Last Days of Work

Tuesday/Wednesday

Most of my day on Tuesday was spent finalizing the restructuring of the program I chose. On Wednesday, I presented my program to my peers. I invited everyone from my office, my two supervisors, some of my intern friends, and Silvia Fabela. What I did for my project was basically restructure the Farm and Food Worker Relief Grant Program. This program provides assistance to farm workers after the effects of the pandemic. What I did was change it so that it could provide financial assistance to farm workers during or after other emergencies, specifically natural disasters. In my presentation I talked about what the requirements were to receive a payment, how people would get their payment, and where the funds to distribute these checks would come from. I got a lot of feedback from Silvia Fabela after the presentation. The points she brought up are definite things I could change to make the program something that could actually be used. My version of the program is something I hope gets put into place in the future. It is very necessary, and would benefit so many workers when their jobs are affected by a natural disaster.

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Tom Vilsack

Thursday

I spent most of my last day in meetings with my supervisors and different people at the USDA that I talked to the most. A lot of what I discussed with them was about my experience working at the department and what I learned from it. I gained some great connections that I will continue to stay in touch with after the summer. I learned so much from everyone I worked and interacted with. Getting the chance to intern at the USDA was such a great experience. To end off my day I went to an event that was celebrating a program that was created to offer financial aid to farmers that had previously faced discrimination in the industry. Secretary Tom Vilsack spoke at it, and like always he was able to deliver a great speech. He is definitely someone that cares about the work he does, and hopefully he is able to stay in his position at the USDA. After this I finished saying my goodbyes, dropped off my computer and badge, and then went home. It was very bittersweet, but I was content with my time at the USDA.

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See You Next Time DC

Friday

Today we had our last day of programming with CHCI, however we had a White House tour that was scheduled before in the morning, so we went to that first. I had already gone, but it was cool getting to go again. After this, we made our way to CHCI where we learned about the alumni network and wrapped up the summer. They got us food and gave us our diplomas and sent us off. It was definitely bittersweet, but I am so thankful for the opportunity I got to be a part of CHCI.  We went home and I finished up packing. Once I was done, I started making my rounds around the 3rd and 6th floor saying bye to everyone from HEP/CAMP and CHCI. It was definitely sad to say bye to everyone, I lived and interacted with these people all summer and now we’re all going off to do our own thing and who knows when we will see each other again. I learned so much from everyone and hope to see them again.

I just want to take some time to thank everyone apart of the HEP/CAMP organization for this once in a lifetime opportunity to be placed at internship in Washington, D.C. There is not a lot of college freshman that get the chance to do this so early. This experience will definitely help me in the future and has me made me so excited for what is to come.

(I did not take a lot of pictures throughout the week, but here's the ones I did take. The last one is one of me and my family in Chicago).