National Archives Interns Share Their Stories....
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library - 2007
Learn about the experiences of the interns who worked at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in 2007.
Intern Experiences
Intern: Kevin Brooks
School: University of Notre Dame
Major: History
Future Plans: Law School or Ph.D in History
I wanted to learn more about Ronald Reagan's life and presidency. Interning at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum was valuable because it gave me the opportunity to interact with a lot of different people everyday, and work on projects dealing with history such as a Cold War Seminar. It was also interesting to be able to get access to documents and artifacts not openly available to the public. I also enjoyed being exposed to the different activities and events going on at the library that are once in a lifetime opportunities, such as the President of Poland's visit to the library to honor Ronald Reagan.
Intern: Jennifer Nicole Brown
School: University of Arizona
Major: Education
Future Plans: Teacher, Graduate School in Education or Social Work
My experience of interning at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum has been a one of a kind journey. Being able to work in the education department and actively contribute to their programs was amazing. I was able to do archival research, curriculum development, special event planning and participate with the development of a new interactive discovery center for children. There were so many opportunities involved with my internship that I was always contributing to the department in some way. The staff and the other interns were encouraging and supportive, which fostered a creative and open learning and working environment for all of us. My boss, Mira Cohen, became a great mentor whom I know I can turn to for years to come. This experience has not only opened my eyes to other educational careers available but also gave me the opportunity to grow as a person in both a professional and personal way.
Intern: Jeremiah DeGennero
School: University of North Carolina at Greensboro Graduate School
Major: History with a Concentration in Museum Studies
Future Plans: Employment as an exhibit designer or museum curator
I came to my internship at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum hoping to gain some experience and broaden my abilities within the museum field. I accomplished that, working on the museum's future public programs, searching through archives and finding documents that would help educate the public, and working with museum artifacts. But my experience did not rely on learning from those above me, I was also able to learn a great deal thanks to working with my fellow interns. Spending so much time with the three other interns in the education department helped reinforce the importance of collaboration and the value of many viewpoints. During our time, we accomplished a great deal working together, while learning from our superiors. I will always cherish my time at the Reagan Library, where I learned new things, accomplished the personal goals I had created for my internship, and made several new friends.
Intern: Rebekah Hays
School: San Francisco State University
Major: History
Future Plans: Graduate School in Museum Studies
This summer has been an amazing experience at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. I came with hopes of broadening my knowledge of the museum world - my expectations were beyond met. Because of my great supervisors, I was able to gain experience in many different areas, from planning an interactive discovery center, to organizing well-attended events like Independence Day, as well as learning first-hand how educational workshops run (and how many other summer interns had the opportunity to watch the President of Poland give a speech). The diversity of my fellow interns also allowed for a more comprehensive view on everything we did. I am very thankful for all of the opportunities that were afforded to me this summer and these experiences have helped shape my future plans.
Intern: Randi Pealer
School: University of California Los Angeles
Major: English
Future Plans: Law School
As an intern for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, I have gained invaluable experience relating to a variety of fields. During my time there, I was required to draw upon my creative, logical, and collaborative abilities. This was particularly the case when assisting with the development of the Discovery Center - an exhibit for grade school students that will simulate environments related to the Presidency, such as the Oval Office. Whether my day consisted of lively debate with other interns about grade-level appropriate curriculum, or helping with public events, there was never a shortage of challenging assignments. Contributing to projects at the Reagan Library has enhanced my problem-solving skills and has increased my confidence when working in a professional environment. It was a great opportunity to work alongside other highly motivated interns and staff who actively pursued common educational goals. I am incredibly grateful for the unique experiences and friendships I have made while engaging in ongoing projects at such a significant hub of public history.
