My time at the Taubman Museum of Art has been a wonderful experience. I have met delightful people and worked on meaningful projects. The occasion for college students to work alongside discipline related professionals is invaluable. In this letter, I will discuss three attributes which make the Taubman’s internship program especially beneficial. The Taubman provides opportunities for collaboration, assigns interns to specific departments, and fosters broad learning. However, there are also areas of potential improvement. I recommend that the Taubman generate more collaboration between intern and supervisor, creating more opportunity for intern growth and supervisor productivity.

One of the fundamental attributes of every museum staff member is the ability to collaborate. I am impressed with the versatility of staff members to work intra-departmentally with great success. Although I was placed in the marketing department, I was constantly working with other departments to accomplish the Taubman’s mission. This taught me that flexibility and collaboration are crucial in the professional environment. Simultaneously, it taught me that broad utility is a valuable attribute, and that the ability to communicate effectively is crucial in bridging departmental gaps.

The Taubman internship program assigns interns to specific departments. I was assigned to the marketing department, and thoroughly enjoyed my time working with Sunny Nelson. By placing interns into specific departments, both the interns and staff benefit. The interns are given a narrower objective and can respond accordingly with specific and practical projects. The productivity of the intern directly affects the department’s efficiency. The consolidated effort in specific assignments provides the best opportunity for overall productivity.

Although I worked in a specific department, my learning was not confined to marketing. Through the weekly intern professional development classes, I acquired a broad knowledge of the Taubman as a whole. A museum is a multi-faceted and complex machine. It requires numerous specialty workers to function seamlessly. The professional development classes gave me an exclusive look at museum functions and a plethora of different practical skills like art handling and interpretation.

One aspect of the internship that could be improved is the time spent with supervisors. Although I was able to interact with and learn from Sunny, there were moments when I felt disconnected from her goals and projects. I think I could have served the Taubman better had I been brought into other projects. Conversely, the amount of independence that interns are given is very helpful and appreciated. It fosters individual creativity in problem solving and provides space to create meaningful work. Nonetheless, I recommend that collaboration with the interns and supervisors be a point of focus for the program.

When I told people I was interning at the Taubman Museum of Art, I often met quizzical countenances. The combination of an English major from VMI and an art museum can be surprising. However, the connection between visual and written communication is powerful. They coexist in artistic expression and in the professional sphere. This internship has provided ample opportunities to develop personal skills, gain professional experience, and invest in the Roanoke community.