Branches of the Mississippi (from the plane)
Today is my first week here at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans. Jazz is being played, the humidity is real, and I’ve been bustling around getting acquainted with the Science and Technology, Education, and Entertainment departments.
Getting to walk around the museum for the first time from an administrative perspective, it is interesting to see the vast interconnectedness this organization has with the surrounding community, veterans, and with the employees themselves. Everyone knows everyone no matter your position and each involved thread supports an overall mission of historical education for all age groups. It is obvious to everyone that the National WWII Museum is a well-oiled machine that is crucial to the preservation of this country’s history.
Looking at my actual role at the museum, there has recently been turnover in the Entertainment Department so most of my time is going to be spent there for these first two weeks. At present, I work logistics for upcoming events: advertisement editing, costume inventory, graphic design and paper drafts, contract updates, and phone confirmations with donors, musicians, actors, and directorial staff. It’s all very exciting and rewarding.
My good friend, the Copy Machine
There is not a better way, in my opinion to seek out work experience. I constantly depend on every individual skill I’ve gathered over the years: time management, conversation skills, integrity, organization, heck – even making copies. (Can I just say – I cannot tell you how much paper my job requires each day. The copy machine IS my best friend).
Brass band in Jackson Square
And New Orleans, as a city, is completely different than anything I’ve been a part of before! Towards the end of the week I took an Uber down to the French Quarter and walked through artists, brass bands, parades, beignet lines, you name it. The city is so alive – more than I’ve ever seen before. It lives inside the people that ask you how your day’s going even if they’ve never seen you before in their life. And it lives in the spontaneous dancing feet around every jivin’ horn on a street corner. It’s even in the swirling colors painted from the city’s sidewalk artists. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it.
Southern Fireworks
My gosh, just the other day – during the Fourth of July – I was a little shocked to see that every house surrounding my current home decided to do their own firework show.
Think for just a second how many fireworks went off around my neighborhood the moment the sun fully set. Think about it. It was a lot. And now factor in that the purchase and use of domestically used fireworks is illegal within city limits. My oh my, the South is an interesting place.
Anywho, in short, New Orleans is quite different than anything I’ve been exposed to before but it has – even in the little time I’ve been here – solidified many of my professional skills and has stretched me in my connection with the adult working world. When I leave here, I hope that I have a solid sense of the many aspects of this museum and a confidence to carry forth into my college search and professional life.
Thanks for checkin’ in with me!
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