No internship is complete without a few challenges, and this one has certainly had its fair share. While I expected to learn new technical skills, I didn’t anticipate how much I would grow personally throughout the experience.

One of my biggest challenges was learning to trust myself when interacting with the public. At first, I worried that I wouldn’t know the answer to every question or that I wasn’t experienced enough to lead conversations. Over time, I realized that connecting with people isn’t about knowing everything—it’s about being approachable, curious, and willing to learn alongside them. As my confidence has grown, so has my ability to share my enthusiasm for conservation with visitors.

Another challenge was adjusting to the sheer number of interactions I had each day. Between educational programs, outreach events, and working with different teams across the forest, there have been many days when I feel like the “Swiss Army Knife” (a fun little comparison my supervisor has made of me) of the Siuslaw—always ready to jump into the next task. The only tool missing? maybe an extra battery pack for my social energy. While constantly switching gears can feel overwhelming, each interaction has helped me become a stronger communicator and reminds me that every conversation is an opportunity to learn.

Time management is another skill I have had to strengthen. With multiple projects, fieldwork, and outreach events happening simultaneously, staying organized is essential. I have learned to prioritize tasks, maintain a schedule, and ask for clarification when needed to stay on top of my responsibilities without feeling overwhelmed. This has been important not only for balancing work tasks but also for my personal life.

Looking back, these challenges have turned out to be some of the most valuable parts of my internship. They’ve pushed me outside my comfort zone, helped me build confidence, and have reminded me that growth often comes from the moments that feel the most uncomfortable. If becoming the “Swiss Army Knife” of the Siuslaw means being adaptable, resilient, and always ready to tackle something new, then I’d say it’s a title I’m happy to keep sporting that title.