My work at the Federation is all about details. From the exact responses to survey results and their connotations, to document formats, to the placement of questions in each email, each project forces attention to every miniscule detail. And every single detail has been important and critical to the success or outcome of each project. Working with an immense group of 56 councils around the country and in partnerships with organizations like the NEH and Pulitzer, the Federation’s effectiveness in these relationships relies on having each fact or detail correct.

However, our effectiveness is also measured in the work each council puts in to provide humanities programming to everyone in their state or territory. As the national branch, we are the promoters, advocators, and cheerleaders for the individual councils. For all of the work the Federation completes in Washington, DC, negotiating and advocating on Capital Hill, communities around the United States receive more chances to grow in the humanities. Knowing our national impact inspires me to continue to promote humanities education, to push for more literacy and reading discussion groups, and to always advocate for the value of history and literature.

I was lucky enough to experience firsthand the Board of Directors meeting last weekend in Chicago. A little bit awestruck, and a whole lot a bit nervous, I found myself in room with influential humanities scholars and nonprofit workers from both humanities councils and other humanities backgrounds. Sitting in the room during the meeting, I gained valuable insight into the underground workings of a nonprofit. Board members and Federation staff discussed items such as budget allocations, development issues, and strategic plans. Each topic was important to the inner workings of the council system, and again, all of the details were highlighted and reviewed. While the board members debated and discussed, I sat at my intern table, frantically taking notes and excitedly grasping at the pieces of information that hinted towards the Federation’s future.

As I begin the last week of my fellowship, I am filled with such a bizarre combination of sadness and excitement. The last nine weeks have been transformative, not only to my sense of self, but to my future and the place I see myself in this world. Working at the Federation has been more fulfilling and informative than I could have ever foreseen when I first learned of my placement all the way back in April. And now, I am so happy to be given the chance to continue my work here and stay I the amazing city of Washington DC. I will be working at the Federation full-time starting in the middle of August as I switch from CAPS fellow to a member of the nonprofit workforce. I am thrilled to have found a calling to promote the importance of the humanities during my time as a CAPS fellow, and I am eternally grateful for the opportunities it has provided me. Now, I get to sit and look out at this beautiful view for the indeterminate future, as I continue to discover my purpose in this world.

As a creature of habit and routine, moving to a brand new city and starting a new internship was a lot to take in all at once. Somewhat lost, and a lot a bit nervous, I stumbled into our apartment complex here in Washington D.C. and was instantly blown away by our amazing surroundings. I most certainly was not in Indiana anymore.

I approached my first day at my internship with the care of someone fearful of a bomb exploding out from under them. But, as I began to become more comfortable at my new desk and talk to some of the my new colleagues, I realized how great of an experience this summer will be. The Federation of State Humanities council not only has a great work environment, it also does wonderful work around the country.

When I first started at FSHC two weeks ago, I knew the bare bones idea of the organization and what they accomplished. There are 56 councils around the country, with one in each state and territory, including D.C.. However, these 56 councils are responsible for thousands of humanities programs that reach citizens from every corner of their state. With this new information, it dawned on me that I was working at a place not only connected to other humanities councils around the country, but I was actually working to promote and provide humanities education to people across America.

Armed with this better understanding of my work, I feel a deeper connection to my job and the projects I am accomplishing. I cannot wait to see where this summer takes me and to learn more about working in the nonprofit sector. As I settle into my internship and life in D.C., I look forward to all of the great experiences my roommates and I will have this summer.