Interning with Black Mountain Institute

My experience interning with Black Mountian Institute has truly been unforgettable. Throughout my time with BMI, I have met so many wonderful people and heard many different creative voices. Before interning, I did not have a great understanding of non-profit work, but I can say that I have learned a lot about it now just from observing the BMI team. I truly believe this knowledge has given me an advantage in my future since I really got to witness the details of non-profit work, and I have gained an interest in it since interning there.

Every person at BMI is extremely dedicated to their work and I have such a deep respect from them as individuals and for the work they produce because of this. The kind-hearted members of BMI are able to offer writers, readers, and everyone in between a safe and supportive space to engage with and learn from each other.

Most of my time working with BMI was spent helping with in person reading events. On days where there were no events, I would usually be stationed at the front desk at BMI's office and be assigned a small task on the computer--usually realated to research. Otherwise, if there were no tasks left for me to complete, I would have time to work on schoolwork. I did not have a massive amount of responsibility at BMI, which I really appreciated since it gave me to oppurtinity to learn through observation without the stress of feeling like I had to be doing everything perfectly. Throughout this experience, I have learned to be my confident in my communication/networking skills. I felt pretty shy at first when meeting writers, speakers, and guests at events, but by the end of my time with BMI, I have become much more comfortable with it and realized that there is no real pressure when meeting others in a more professional setting.

My favorite moments interning with BMI have been at the in person events where I can clearly see how inspired each person in the room becomes through the medium of writing, and it reminded me how powerful writing really is. It is so important to come together as a community and bond over something as simple as storytelling, no matter how complex or simple that story may be.

My advice for future interns is this: have fun with it. Don't be afraid to talk to everyone at the events. Also, never be afraid to ask anyone at BMI for help/advise with anything. The whole team is incredibly accomidating and supportive; they will help you. Don't be discouraged because you're "the intern." I have genuinely felt valued by everyone at BMI, so have fun with them because they're really awesome people!

I will truly miss being a part of the BMI team, and I am so grateful to have had the oppertunity to learn from such an amazing group of people!

These images are from two of my favorite events. The first is of me with two of BMI's lovely Graduate Assistants outside of the Beverly Theatre for the Layli Long Soldier reading and screening. The second is of one of BMI's Fall 2023 Sheering Fellows, Edgar Gomez, during his reading at BMI's home in the RLL building. Both of these events were special to me as Layli's event was deeply emotional and moving, and Edgar's was so fun and genuine. (These images were not taken by me and are posted on BMI's social media accounts).