Interning at the Black Mountain Institute (BMI) has really proved to me that I do want to work in the media (literary or otherwise) world. I have become particularly interested in media collections and curation and my time at BMI has only reassured that.
Although my internship does not tie into my major of study in a traditional way it aligns with my career goals and the skills I need to develop. I am a Sociology major and a Film minor, but I have always had a love for literature and hope to pursue writing in some capacity. While interning at BMI I have been able to get a glimpse into the inner workings of a literary institution. BMI is a tight run ship and it is evident that everyone knows their roles and responsibilities. I have been fortunate enough to be able to observe what each person does and how it helps BMI create the magic that they do.
No matter what stage you are at in your education the staff at BMI will help you along the way. They have been endlessly kind and have always helped me whenever I needed it. This position requires basic computer skills and the ability to follow directions as well as take redirection. Otherwise, everything else can be learned. If you were to pursue a career within BMI you would need a passion for literature and event planning skills. Each staff member has a specific focus such as finances, technology, logistics, etc. making it a welcoming place
to people of all skill and educational backgrounds.
My main piece of advice for future interns is to be communicative! Everyone wants to see you succeed and the intern supervisor, Lynn, is very understanding. If you have a special interest within the literary world let them know! They are there to help you grow and will help you in any way that they can.
This photo is of one of the front book displays that I took when opening one morning. I took this photo, because I thought the shelf looked pretty in the lighting. However, while at BMI I was able to reorganize some of the other book displays but I do not have photos of those shelves at the moment.