During my internship with The History Co:Lab, I contributed to their podcast, UnTextbooked, which aims to elevate youth voices and reshape the way young people engage with history. My work involved interviewing historians and authors, giving young people the tools to drive meaningful discussions about historical events and their relevance today. This project directly aligns with The History Co:Lab's mission of empowering young people to engage with history in ways that benefit themselves and society. By placing youth at the forefront of these conversations, UnTextbooked fosters a generation of truth-seekers equipped to challenge narratives and make an impact in the field of journalism and education. Working on this podcast felt like a meaningful contribution to advancing the organization's goal of revolutionizing history education by emphasizing youth perspectives.

During my internship, I was able to apply many skills from my studies in sustainable development and comparative ethics, particularly with a focus on Indigenous Studies. My understanding of historical and contemporary issues related to marginalized communities informed the way I approached interviews and discussions on UnTextbooked. This helped me bring critical perspectives to the dialogue, particularly in addressing the complex relationships between Indigenous histories and modern narratives.

My background in sustainable development also prepared me to explore themes related to social justice and environmental stewardship, which are crucial to shaping discussions about history’s impact on current global challenges. These interdisciplinary skills allowed me to contribute to UnTextbooked in a way that highlighted the importance of diverse narratives in the pursuit of a more inclusive and sustainable future.

One significant challenge I encountered during my internship was on the morning of our gala event, which happened to coincide with the Boston Celtics winning their 18th NBA Championship. The celebratory parade in downtown Boston that day created unexpected logistical issues, as our office was located in the midst of the parade route. This forced us to quickly relocate all our event operations from our downtown office to the CEO’s house. The sudden need to shift venues presented several obstacles, including reorganizing our equipment and ensuring all staff members and resources were transferred seamlessly. My fellow interns and I played crucial roles in navigating the situation, helping to coordinate the move and ensuring that everything ran smoothly. This ability to stay calm and lead through the chaos was a great example of how to handle unpredictable events in a professional setting. This experience not only tested our problem-solving skills but also underscored the importance of flexibility and teamwork. Despite the unexpected circumstances, we were able to successfully execute the gala, which was a valuable learning experience in managing crises and adapting to changes on the fly.

This internship has been a meaningful and enriching experience, both in terms of building practical skills and growing personally. Working on UnTextbooked allowed me to engage directly with the mission of empowering youth voices, while also applying what I’ve learned in my academic studies. I found myself drawing from my background in sustainable development, comparative ethnic studies, or even my own Indigenous identity, especially when addressing complex narratives around Indigenous histories and their contemporary relevance. This experience deepened my understanding of how diverse perspectives can shape impactful storytelling.

Overall, this experience has reinforced the importance of creative problem-solving and collaboration in professional settings. It’s taught me that even in high-pressure situations, staying calm and working with a supportive team can turn challenges into opportunities. Moving forward, I feel more confident in my ability to contribute to projects that require both critical thinking and quick adaptation, and I’m excited to continue applying these lessons in future endeavors.