Sunday, June 2, 2024
Today I was able to rest after a long week. I woke up, cleaned around our dorm and made lunch. Later in the day, I met with Luka Andre--a Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) Intern--to work on a project we were assigned for our Monday programming day over a seminar, a Committee Hearing, and a Mark-up Simulation. Bryan and I cooked dinner, spoke about our goals within this internship, and went to bed because we had a long day on Monday.
Committee Hearing and Mark-up Simulation
Monday, June 3, 2024
This morning the HEP/CAMP interns met at the Metro Center to head to the Washington Center for our programming day. We were thirty minutes early, so we decided to go get some coffee. I was searching for a coffee shop and found an Ethiopian coffee shop. I got a iced vanilla latte and it was good. Once we all got our coffees, we headed to the Washington Center to start our day. The simulation was enjoyable and informative because we were able to see the process of a bill to pass. We also learned the difference between having a fixed mindset and a growth mindset.
First Day in the USDA Office
Tuesday, June 4, 2024
Today was a very exciting day for me because I was able to start my internship placement with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE). I was able to meet my supervisor Michael Williams (Dr. Mike) over coffee and doughnuts. We later went to pick up my work computer and he also got me lunch and got to know each other better. Our conversations made me realize that I belong here in the internship and that he wants me to get the most out of it and meet the different agencies. I can’t wait to see where this internship will guide me after having a phenomenal experience and feeling welcomed into this environment.
Quiz on the second Day
Wednesday, June 5, 2024
On my second day in the office, we started to get to business. Dr. Mike told me that to work in this placement, I have to understand what the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE) does, especially in his area of work. After going through the provided PowerPoint, he quizzed me about the information over OPPE. I learned more about the OPPE's mission is to facilitate partnerships, offer education and resources to foster hope and opportunity, wealth creation, and asset building in rural and underserved communities. The most important was the question of what are 1890 grant institutions as this is the area where Dr. Mike works the most in. In the 1890 grant institutions, USDA partnered with the 19 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that were established under the Second Morrill Act of 1890. Today there are 19 1890 land-grant universities across the United States. These institutions strengthen research, extension, and teaching in the food and agricultural sciences, and attract more students into careers in agriculture, food, natural resources, and human sciences.
I appreciate that Dr. Mike wants me to know what OPPE stands for me to be a great intern in his office. He mentioned that to be successful in something, you have to understand what is being given to you. The PowerPoint was very informative because I was also able to learn about the various programs OPPE can help with such as helping farmers get started. This was helpful since it is one of my goals to have my farm operation and I look forward to learning more of the programs the USDA has to offer.
Exploration as a Task
Thursday, June 6, 2024
When I arrived at the office I started with the task Dr. Mike told me he was going to quiz me over. I navigated through the USDA website and found the USDA Mission Areas that I had to learn for my knowledge quiz. The USDA Mission areas vary from farm production and conservation, Food, Nutrition and consumer services, Food Safety, Marketing and Regulatory programs, Natural Resources and Environment, Research Education and Economics, Agriculture Research Service, Economic Research Service, Rural Development, and Trade and foreign affairs.
Dr. Mike later told me to go outside the USDA Building and explore what is near the area such as museums or monuments to have the 1890 scholars look at what when they arrive on July 24, 2024. I created a document with the different locations with their information on times and admissions.
Braves vs. Nationals
Friday, June 7, 2024
Today I worked remotely, and I was able to attend a meeting with the 1890 National Scholar Program Liaisons. We were meeting on how to better prepare for the incoming 1890 scholars and I was assigned an assignment to get ready for their visit. After work, Brayan, Marucio, Yasmin, Daisy, and I attended the Atlanta Braves vs. Nationals baseball game, but sadly the Braves lost 2-1. Right after the game we got to watch Flo Rida perform it was a pretty cool night. I was glad I got to see the Braves since it reminded me of home.
Good day for a walk
Saturday, June 8 2024
Today I woke up and made some chicken tenders before I went out for a walk with my friends. We walked to Georgetown to explore the area. Georgetown was pretty cool there was a lot to see in the area. Afterward, we went to Starbucks to get something to drink because it was getting hot. We later started walking back to Foggy Bottom I joined them to eat lunch although I did not get anything to eat. When it got darker, we visited The Wharf to look at fireworks and admire the boats as well as saying to each other who's going to have a nice boat in the future. To end the night we went to Captain Cookie for some ice cream.
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