Personal Evaluation

As an intern for UGA Athens-Clarke County Extension I have learned a lot, and I have done some reflecting on my strengths and weaknesses. 

I knew coming into this experience that I would have different tasks, so I told myself to keep an open mind. However, little did I know what all went on in an extension office, and I did not expect that I would be sorting seeds or putting together farmers market carts. All the tasks that Laura and Joanna have assigned me to have helped me identify some of my strengths and weaknesses.

A strength that I have is my communication skills. On most Saturdays, I worked at the Marigold Market, and I helped sell produce and communicate with the community. I am able to effectively talk to the people who come to the market, and I enjoy connecting with people who come to the market every Saturday. Another strength is being creative. Throughout the summer I had been asked to create flyers, stickers, etc., and write on chalkboards for signs. In the office, I recently finished the "Ask a Master Gardener" chalkboard sign, and I had to draw the UGA Extension logo at the bottom. 

A weakness I have is trusting the process of things and trusting myself.  I know during my time in the office, I would get frustrated with myself because I did not think something I created would turn out great, but it would work out in the end. For example, the "Ask a Master Gardener" sign. I did not think it looked that good at the beginning, but once I finished, it turned out great, and everyone loved it! Also, when I worked on the stickers and flyers that Joanna and Laura asked me to create, I did not think they were all that great, but Laura and Joanna loved the stickers. They actually got them printed for the Great Georgia Pollinator Census event that is being hosted at the office in August! 

Another weakness I have is that I need to have more confidence in my abilities. Sometimes I think a question I may have is simple or dumb, so I decide not to ask it, and I try to do everything I can to answer my own question which sometimes takes longer than if I asked the question. However, I know I can improve on these weaknesses, and I will be working on these things in order to help me be more successful in my next path whether it is another internship or job. 

Moreover, after all the various tasks that I have been given, I know I need to prepare myself to know that my next job or internship are going to be long days of work. Some days, I would come into work and be tired, but I still had to complete the tasks that I was given. I am grateful that this internship was flexible with time in the office, but I know other offices would not be as flexible. I also need to buy more professional clothing and get used to them because I am a t-shirt and leggings kind of woman. Wearing jeans and finding more professional tops was a little difficult. I had to search my sister's closet and buy more shirts for work. 

I have enjoyed my time at the office and at the Market. I cannot see what will be my next great opportunity and experience!