Something that has kind of been a challenge for me is balancing all of my commitments this summer. On top of my fellowship position with Best Buddies/The Columbus Foundation, I am enrolled in six online course for my two masters programs (and have a part time job) and it is taking some time to adjust to having such a heavy workload. However, as I am delving deeper into my coursework and am contributing more to the Best Buddies Ohio Team, I see that there are a lot of connections between all of my commitments and that if I focus on these overlaps I’m able to balance everything in a more efficient way. 

More specifically, I am enrolled in four different social work course for my Masters of Social Work program at OSU, each of these courses has an emphasis on empowering clients, developing appropriate leadership qualities, and finding the best intervention/treatment services for various populations. Through these courses I feel like I am finding new ways to expand on my skill set as a social worker and truly carry out the mission of Best Buddies to empower individuals with an IDD, help facilitate intentional and positive relationships among clients (one-to-one friendships), and ultimately helping individuals develop their own leadership abilities.

Taking this new mindset, that everything has a purpose and a connection, has helped me to feel more fulfilled as both an intern and a student. While I am definitely still stressed over meeting deadlines and creating quality work, I am a little more confident in myself, knowing that I am growing personally and professionally through this heavy course load and that at the end of the day my experience as a fellow and student this summer are amplified by being both.