Fall is upon us, which means that clouds are replacing the sun, and leaves are going from green to red. It seems like only yesterday, it was mid-June. Recently, the NPO had a staff retreat in the Reno-Tahoe region, which was an enlightening experience. During this retreat, we did an activity where we sorted into different leadership styles (activist, analyst, nurturer, visionary) and I ended up in the activist sorting. To be honest, I’m sure we all have elements of all 4 in us. I would still say I sorted into the activist cohort though because I feel driven by an internal sense of belief, and willingness to stand up for what I think is right and should be done. Others on the team sorted into the various 4 groupings: I feel all 4 styles, and each of us individually, brings our own unique strengths to a team. 

In my internship, I was able to polish up my geo-referencing skills, trained on the Forest Service’s FACTS system, and have continued to improve my GIS skills with the guidance of others. Throughout my time, I’ve realized that I do really enjoy doing GIS work, and seeing how changes and phenomena can be represented, and analyzed, spatially. However, I’ve also realized that I also have a lot of more activist and visionary energy, and enjoy using words as a medium of expression. So I hope going forward, to be able to hone my creative (nature photography, novel ideas and ways of doing things, etc) and rhetorical skills as well. Perhaps I can integrate all of these skills in different ways going forward.