I can’t believe today is the last day of my internship! This summer has flown by, but I’m incredibly grateful for the knowledge and experiences I’ve gained in such a short period of time. This week, I had the opportunity to design a flyer for our upcoming fall family events and create the monthly craft for September, which will leave a reminder of me at the center for a little bit after I’m gone.

I also had the pleasure of helping set up the 4th Annual Plein Air “Scenes Around the Park” art exhibit. It was inspiring to see local artists capture the beauty of our park, each with their unique perspectives. Seeing the community come together to celebrate nature through art was a perfect reflection of the mission we strive to promote. We had a paid judge come to award 1st-3rd places, and we also have a People’s Choice Award to engage visitors to vote for their favorite piece.

As I reflect on my entire internship, I realize how much I’ve grown both personally and professionally. This experience has prepared me in ways I didn’t expect. I’ve learned the critical importance of teamwork and collaboration, which drives this nonprofit to run efficiently. Our dedicated staff members are the heart of the Center, and I now understand how essential each person’s role is in making our operations successful. I’ve also navigated challenges that required quick thinking and problem-solving, which has significantly boosted my confidence in my leadership abilities. I’ve developed a greater sense of trust in myself and my capacity to take initiative.

The biweekly meetings at the Columbus Foundation added another layer of professional development. Listening to inspiring guest speakers and connecting with the other fellows provided me with new perspectives and reinforced the importance of passion in one’s work. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Lomax for creating a safe space for meaningful conversations and to the Columbus Foundation for this incredible opportunity.

I am also immensely thankful to everyone at the Grange Insurance Audubon Center for welcoming me with open arms and teaching me so many skills that I will carry with me throughout my career. A special thank you goes to my supervisor, Sandy Libertini, who mentored me throughout the summer with patience and dedication. I’m glad I was able to lighten her load during my time here because she truly does so much to keep the Center thriving. I’d also like to thank Leigh Ann Miller, the Center Director, for the opportunities to shadow her during important meetings. Though I didn’t see her often due to her dual role as Director of the Aullwood Audubon Center, the moments I did have with her were taught me the qualities of effective leadership.

We celebrated my time here with an all-staff dinner at Nocterra, which was a thoughtful and touching way to conclude the summer. I also was gifted two beautiful bird paintings that I will treasure forever as it reminds me of my time here and the amazing people I’ve worked with.

While I’m sad to leave, I’m already planning to return to help with our wetland restoration and monarch tagging. So, this isn’t goodbye, but rather a “see you later.”

Signing off, Aayushi