Allison Blythe

Where and when did you intern and what were your responsibilities?

I interned at the National Archives in College Park, Maryland. I worked in the Cartographic Branch, and my responsibilities included digitizing documents from the War Department Map Collection and declassified materials from the CIA during the Cold War era as well as interfiling new accessions in with previous ones for World Aeronautical Charts, Pilotage Charts and Approach Charts. I also got some experience answering reference letters and helped out in the Cartographic research room.

What was the best part about your internship?

The best part of my internship was getting to explore, whether it was in the Cartographic stacks, going on tours of other departments, or going into downtown D.C. for the day. I also loved getting to know my supervisor and Heidelberg alumna Brandi Oswald, and our little adventures to find what researchers were looking for or the day we spent an afternoon searching for a floppy disk because I'd never seen one in real life. 

How did your internship connect to your major and/or your planned career?

My experience confirmed for me that I want to go into the Archives for my future career, which fits in with my major in history. 

What advice would you give to current students considering an internship?

I'd tell students considering an internship to go for it. Even if you think that you getting the internship is a long shot, always apply anyway. You never know where there is a Heidelberg grad dying to mentor you. Also, take advantage of every opportunity that Heidelberg sets in front of you, because it all pays off in the end!