Intern Log 04.03.2009 - SEA-Inside, REI and People for Puget Sound

The Event
Sound Experience was invited to attend a presentation for SEA-Inside: Pacific Northwest, an educational television series filmed by John F.
Williams (see right). In turn, I was invited to attend by Sound Experience's Executive Director, Catherine Collins, to represent the organization from the perspective of a crew-member and intern.

The presentation took place in the north meeting room of REI's downtown flagship-store. I got to REI an hour early, as I needed to buy a few things, but was surprised to find that I was the first person at the event. Naturally, I took some liberties and reserved the best table for our set up.

Slowly, people began to trickle in. Representatives from People for Puget Sound came first (they were hosting the event), followed by those working for affiliate organizations, and finally--closer 7:00p.m.--the audience arrived.

My Role
This was my first opportunity to engage with the public as Sound Experience's new marketing intern; excitement coursed through my body. As the night progressed, however, I soon realized how much I will have to grow as an intern to be the proverbial "best I can be."

When Catherine arrived, she had brought Kate Tanski, who is currently the second-mate aboard the schooner Adventuress. Catherine decided that Kate and I should run the booth and engage the attendees in discussion about our program. After the first bout of questions, I realized how much about the organization I have to reacquaint myself with.

During those discussions, my enthusiasm remained undamped, but I did stumble over my words and facts. My mind was oriented for the summer season: I listed summer ship-capacity, summer age-ranges, and the summer programs. That mentality completely alienated the Spring and Fall seasons. When I next meet with Elizabeth Becker, I am going to investigate and internalize as much about the organization as possible so that I do not make the same mistakes again.

There was a point during the night when each of the organizations were asked to briefly describe themselves. Catherine urged me, very eagerly, to represent Sound Experience. I quickly constructed a speech in my head, then went up to deliver.

I felt a hint of personal pride when John Williams offered me the microphone and I respectfully declined. I enjoy speaking loudly, and try to practice my projection at every opportunity. I also believe it adds to my presentations by showing my energy and enthusiasm. I was thrilled to have a woman come to me later and say: "I just had to come talk to you about this, you were so enthusiastic."

I did also feel a hint of embarrassment later that evening when I realized, when looking through the pictures I had taken, that I had sweat through my shirt a little. That is simply another lesson learned: if you bike somewhere, one spare shirt is not enough. Bring your presentation clothes, and an undershirt.

Recap

• Helped set up booth
• Gave brief info presentation
• Learned about other organizations
• Met other figures of environmental stewardship
• Took some pictures

Learnings

• Bring undershirts
• Take more pictures
• Keep a notepad/pen handy always
• Carry spare bike tire (I got a flat on the way home)
• Know the organization's mission, programs, ports, membership offers, and everything else
  

Related Links
Earth Corps
People for Puget Sound
REI
SEA-Inside: Pacific Northwest

Intern Log 03.17.2009

Introduction

My name is Zachary W. Simonson-Bond. I am a student at the University of Washington, majoring in Communication. This upcoming Spring quarter I will be an intern for Sound Experience, a Non-Profit organization dedicated to inspiring stewards for Puget Sound. This is achieved by environmental education and hands-on experience aboard the historic Schooner Adventuress. Working closely with my on-site supervisor, Elizabeth Becker, the Sound Experience Special Project Director, and guided by my faculty sponsor, Professor Crispin Thurlow, I will be enhancing my understanding of Communication through the practical application of lessons I have already learned, as well as developing my skills and understanding of Non-Profit Communication.

Background

I have worked with Sound Experience during the summers of 2007 and 2008. During that time, I participated aboard the Adventuress as an Educator-Deckhand. My duties required me to attend to the needs of the ship, i.e. preparing the ship for a voyage, cleaning her upon return, maintenance, and repairs, as well as attending to the needs of the on-board education, i.e. preparing and presenting lessons, continuing my own personal learning, etc.

During five weeks the first summer, and six weeks the second, I attained an exciting education ranging from Puget Sound marine invertebrates, to sail-aerodynamics theory. However, I also learned about myself and my passions; it would be a lie to say I wasn't monumentally affected by my time aboard. Working on the Adventuress had a clarifying effect. When I joined, I was still grappling with different majors, but my priorities became surprisingly clear after the first summer. I realized that Communication was where my real interests lie. The ship was a treasure trove of Communication, whether we were expressing the environmental message or repeating orders of command, and I reveled in every second of it. I was also reinvigorated towards learning. My time aboard gave me new lenses to see the world by, and different things to investigate. My life gained new direction and I found a place to focus my energy: Communication.

The Internship

This internship will be different than my time spent with Sound Experience the last two summers. Whereas the previous summers were spent on board the Adventuress, this internship will be spent in the office of Sound Experience with "the Office Watch." My experience this time will be more directed to academic pursuits than the on board education or sailing.

As part of my internship, my academic requirements ask me to do a certain amount of research over the quarter that relates to my position. I was also be writing a final paper on the results of my experiences and how my research related to what I learned. Lastly, I am to keep a journal of my internship activities, hence the blog.

As for requirements on the internship side, I have spoken with Elizabeth about our goals for the quarter, but we have not yet had a formal meeting to solidify those expectations. When I know, you will know.

Fair Winds,
Zach