Podcast link: https://soundcloud.com/user-110817248/tcf-blog-week-1/s-EraYY

Podcast transcript:

“Howdy howdy. Madeline’s the name, non-profit is the game.

Born in Phoenix, raised in Columbus– I claim the 614 as home. I attend the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati as an Electronic Media Major. In the fall I’ll be starting as a graduate student in the Master of Arts Education Program, still at UC. What am I going to do with my life, you ask? Good question. Let me know when you find out. Ha-ha. As of right now, I know that I am passionate about arts and media education, and I want to fight for solid arts education programs. I think you might be able to catch me in a couple years in Seattle working for a non-profit organization that works to bring arts programs to city schools. We’ll see.

Now that you know a little about my interests, let’s talk about my Columbus Foundation placement. *Intense movie trailer voice* TechCorps, whose vision is a technologically literate society in which all K-12 students have equal access to the technology skills, programs and resources that will enrich their education today and prepare them for college or career tomorrow.

So what does that mean in terms of action? Techcorps is all about integration into education. The goal is to bring additional technology resources to schools to students and teachers throughout the country.

What a whirlwind this week has been. My first day was ~also~ the first day of training for staff working our summer camps, which continued all week. So, what did this mean for me? I was completely thrown into one of the busiest office weeks of the summer, and I wouldn’t rather it have been any other way.

~Training~

I walked into a room full of bright eyed staff members mid-training, stood in the doorway for a minute, and promptly decided I was in probably in the wrong place. I walked around for a little bit, realized there was nowhere else the office could possibly be, and looked like an idiot coming back in the door. “Hi, I’m not sure where I’m supposed to be,” I asked the group. A woman answered, “are you Madeline?” I smiled. “You’re exactly where you need to be!”

And she was right. I feel right at home here already. I was immediately welcomed onto the staff and the transition was smooth. I was graciously welcomed onto the team and I continue to be reminded that I am important and of value in the organization. I am so excited to learn from my work here and make an impact on the future of TechCorps.

This week I got a taste of basically everything I’ll be doing this summer. Equal parts office work and fieldwork, but focusing on the latter. I was extremely excited when I was handed the office camera on Friday. I have my own equipment that I’ll take with me when I visit sites, but I was asked to take pictures in the office for the last day of the training. This is what I love to do, and I can’t wait to do it for an organization that does so much good for the community. Cheers!”

Starting to plan out social media campaigns!