Tess Gibson-Thoele

Week 5:

It’s hard to believe I’m already halfway through my internship with the University of Maryland Extension! These past few weeks have flown by, and I’ve learned so much along the way. I’ve stepped into completely new environments, taken on responsibilities I never expected, and worked alongside an amazing team all focused on making a difference in our community.

Of course, every learning journey comes with its challenges. There’s definitely been a learning curve — and I’ve hit a few bumps — but those bumps have helped me grow.

Time Management
Trying to balance everything — from prepping for events and helping with outreach, to handling documentation and learning new tools — has been a lot at times. There were moments when everything felt urgent and a little overwhelming.
What’s helping: My mentors and I now use a shared to-do list to keep things clear and prioritized. It’s made a big difference! I’ve also gotten better at asking questions and speaking up when I’m not sure what to tackle first.

Communication Confidence
Talking to community members I’ve never met or presenting ideas can be a little intimidating. I’ve definitely had moments of second-guessing myself.
What’s helping: I’ve learned that it’s okay not to have all the answers. Preparation goes a long way, and each new conversation is a chance to improve. One of my mentors is even encouraging me to design and lead my own program, which is super exciting and I can’t wait to start working on it.

Learning New Tools
Some of the systems and topics I’ve encountered have been completely new to me.
What’s helping: I’ve let go of the pressure to be perfect and instead focus on growing step by step. I take notes, reflect, and adjust. And I’m proud to say… I’ve become kind of magical at Canva!

This week has been a whirlwind! Every evening (except Wednesday), we’ve hosted Nature Night Camp from 6–8 PM — and when I wasn’t at camp helping out, I was in the office finalizing plans for it. I also prepped crafts for George’s Creek Farmers Market, not just for this week but for next week too. And to top it off, I joined a super fun focaccia-making class (yes, it was as delicious as it sounds!).

There’s so much more ahead, and I’m truly excited to keep learning, growing, and being part of something meaningful.