What is quality?  This is a question that Ingenuity seeks to answers in terms of arts education.  However, this is a question I sought to answer in terms of an internship experience.  Being a college student, we are told that an intern experience is a quality one because we need to build our resumes.  So often, students spend their summers making copies and getting coffee for the sake of building their resume. But is this truly a quality internship?  By the end of the summer, students only know how to use the printer, order coffee, and, if they were lucky, sit in on a couple of meetings to take notes.  My definition of a quality internship is one where I can grow professionally by doing meaningful work. Luckily for me, Ingenuity feels the same way.

The advantage of working at a nonprofit organization is being surrounded by people who are passionate about their mission.  I can always feel the passion for quality arts education for all CPS students in each team member at Ingenuity from the moment I started working here. When I was tasked with the Partner Starter Institute, I was excited to have a project that was integral to the programming of the Partnerships and Professional Learning team.  Being in charge of the Partner Starter gave me the opportunity to exercise my networking, facilitation, and event planning skills. I was given the freedom to design the content of the entire day from the venue, agenda, and even the catering.

  
Ingenuity puts a lot of faith into their interns.  We are treated as equal members of the team. We are invited to staff meetings where our input is encouraged and valued.  As a member of the Partnerships and Professional Learning team, I have the opportunity to help run professional development events and attend a meeting to foster arts partnerships.  My time at Ingenuity has taught me the importance of partnership and collaboration. No person is an island and we need to work with others if we want to accomplish anything.

Each day was a different adventure working at Ingenuity.  This experience allowed me to think about what kind of work environment I should look for when seeking future employment.  The work culture at Ingenuity is very inviting. Each staff member seeks feedback from others to ensure that their work is being done efficiently.  It is inspiring that each team member models that it is encouraged to work together on projects.

   
If you asked me what a quality internship is, I would tell you Ingenuity without hesitation.  Ingenuity provided me the opportunity to grow professionally by tasking me with the Partner Starter Institute, assisting with professional development events, and fostering arts partnerships.  I know that every task I was given at Ingenuity served a purpose that aligns with their mission of ensuring all CPS students have access to arts education. I will miss working with an organization that is passionate about the work they do and take the time to nurture a student’s professional development.

We traded our Chapel bells for rumble of the L train.  Chicago.  A city that will never cease to amaze me.  Being from a Chicago suburb, I am no stranger to this majestic city.  I spent my weekends exploring different pockets of city under the careful guidance of my family.  I like to say that my family bubble wrapped my Chicago experience.  I could not take public transportation until I was 17, and even then I was under the protection of my brothers.  My mom is a nurse and my dad is a taxi driver, they know firsthand how bad Chicago can be.  They were just trying to protect me, but they cannot shelter me forever.

The independence is liberating.  Living in Chicago allows me to explore myself outside of the safety net of home or Valparaiso.  I was overjoyed when I discovered my placement was in Chicago because it meant I could grow in a state I love.  Being a big city, Chicago offers diversity that is not highlighted often back at school.  Although every person has their differences we all share one thing in common, taking public transportation.  Everyone has their own love hate relationship with CTA.  On one hand, it is easier that having your own car because you will not have to deal with paying an outrageous amount of money for a tiny parking spot.  On the other hand, the estimated time of arrival of the CTA is unpredictable because of unscheduled stops.  Complete strangers bond over their shared feelings about CTA.  It is truly a beautiful sight.

Not as beautiful as my commute to my internship though.  I made the decision to walk to my placement to get better familiar with my surroundings.  Every morning, I walk over the Chicago River as I head to Ingenuity’s office.  Ingenuity is the glue between Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and arts partners.  Ingenuity was birthed from the city’s need to provide quality arts education to all of CPS.  My organization tackles this goal through four innovates: data and research, public affairs, outreach, and partnerships and professional learning.  With a mission as vast with these four innovates, you think there is a large army of people advocating on the behalf of arts education in CPS.  Well, there is.  Nine dynamic leaders blazing a trail in educating and advocating for arts educators.  The staff of Ingenuity works tirelessly with CPS Department of Arts Education and arts partners to enrich the lives of children in CPS.

I am honored that Willow and I have been inducted as fearless warriors in the fight for quality arts education to all of CPS.  I feel like I have become a part of the Ingenuity family.  As a Partnership and Professional Learning Intern, I am excited and nervous to plan our annual Partner Starter Institute to acclimate arts partners to the culture of CPS and instill the importance of partnership.  This summer is just beginning, but I know endless adventures await me as I explore the city and learn more about the importance of arts education.  This may not be Valpo, but it is a place where I belong.  A place I can call home.