“Positive Change is Within Reach” - Reflections by Teague Clark
Working with SVUDL as an Operations Intern has been an overwhelmingly positive experience! I never used to be interested in Speech and Debate. The school system would shove outdated American History politics for us to occasionally debate about, which did not strike any interest to me. Because of this, I figured it wasn’t my thing. However, the older I became, the more I realized how there are countless horrible systems in our current society. It’s important to support the underprivileged (especially people of color), help them tap into something that they weren’t previously exposed to, and help them develop and amplify their voice. Students are our future leaders, and it’s important to provide them with the resources they need to thrive.
Through this internship I’ve learned how to efficiently utilize Squarespace, Hootsuite, Adobe Premiere, and Canva, along with creating and managing the SVUDL social media pages. Before this internship I never explored these different platforms (besides the social media apps), so this has been a very beneficial learning experience for me. I feel confident in my abilities in graphic design/editing now that I’ve been able to experiment more with Canva. Along with this, my management/organizational skills have definitely improved. I found that simply keeping a task list close to me bolstered my ability to stay focused and work efficiently. Considering that many different organizations and workplaces utilize these apps, it’s important to learn the most I can about them, and carry the knowledge through any of my future endeavors. It’s also important to not be afraid to ask any questions. Everyone is very supportive and helpful, and there is nothing to be ashamed of!
The impact of supporting young students and empowering them to explore new possibilities cannot be overstated. As I step forward from this internship, I carry with me the knowledge that exploring new platforms and technologies can unlock vast potentials. I am grateful for the supportive and encouraging environment at SVUDL, which has nurtured my growth and instilled in me the belief that with dedication and passion, positive change is within reach.
In turn, SVUDL thanks Teague for all of his support this summer, and looks forward to bearing witness to how he’ll bring these newfound skills to his schoolwork and future career aspirations. Thank you Teague!
