My last week of work in the governor's office

         

This is my last week of work (for now). I've been working in the governor's office/for the State of Georgia since mid-June of this year and Friday is my last day of this six-month fellowship. This experience has been everything I could have asked for, plus way, way more. I've made mistakes, learned about myself and others, fallen in love with politics/government work, met and interacted with politicians, attended events, written speeches, and more.

And I've loved it. I highly recommend paid fellowships/internships after college if you're still figuring out what you want to do in life and/or you want a break before going back to school for another degree (my situation). This fellowship has been the perfect break and although every day was not magical, most days were full of really fun work in the field I love, and every day was a blessing.

I tried writing this post a few times and I just couldn't figure out a concise way to explain all of my thoughts, feelings, and experiences from my job. And then I decided to use my beginning thoughts to reflect on my end results. I went back to the post I wrote about completing my first week of work.

Then I re-read the post, and made edits so that the words apply to how I feel at the end of this work experience. The blue text represents my thoughts at the end of this incredible experience:

My first week of work is officially done.  Today marks my last week of work.

And even though I haven't done anything too monumental yet, I already love it. 

I did lots of major things and witnessed so many behind-the-scenes government plans that taught me how state government works. I even made a few (background) TV appearances, eek!

Some of my favorite moments from the past six-months of working for the governor:

Helping out with the First Lady's events 

Witnessing the end of the Georgia 400 tolls

Being up close and personal during
press conferences with the governor 

Themed-casual Fridays

Work celebrations/birthdays

Lunch breaks that I spent walking around the
Capitol and reading all of the facts and looking at artifacts.

Watching them move the Christmas tree
into the Capitol 

Seeing the finished product and attending the Christmas tree lighting 

Of course dressing up every day is a fun task, but I love it for other reasons too. 

I've already learned so much about local and federal government and I have no choice but to stay updated on the news (seriously, I think I know everything that took place in Georgia this past week.)

I'm where I am supposed to be, and I'm grateful for this opportunity.

This was the opportunity that I was supposed to have and I'm so grateful I had it.

Pulling into work and seeing the beautiful Capitol building that I get to work in is so inspirational and gives me the happiest feeling.

I don't ever want that feeling to go away.  (It hasn't).

 There is so much history in downtown Atlanta and it's an area of Atlanta that I haven't really spent time in yet. Besides the traffic (ugh!), I love the the constant activity of downtown. It's always in motion, in a southern comfort kind of way.

Downtown traffic (cars + pedestrians) got old very quickly, but I did find some great new places to eat!

It's easy to lose excitement about something new after the first week, or even the first day. But I really see myself loving all six months of this job and making every week a new adventure.  (I have loved it.)

Of course the first few days were full of meeting new people (trying to remember names), learning the customs of the office, morning rituals, where to eat lunch, and just how things work. 

And I eventually figured all of this out… :) 

But I think I'm catching on quickly.

I really really like the people I work with. There are no forced feelings of getting along, the office just naturally works together well and flows...I love that.

It has been an adjustment working 8 hours a day and getting up earlier, so after work naps have become my best friend! (so true!)

Although my body got used to waking up early and going to bed early, I'm ready to get back on the college (flexible) schedule :) 

-------

This week, I'll be finishing the items on my Capitol "bucket list," saying goodbyes, and passing out thank you cards (always a great idea when ending an internship/fellowship) before my last day. And we have a reception at the Governor's Mansion later this week so our families can meet the governor!

Ending this job means ending a chapter in my life and that's always bitter sweet. But it helps that I'm extremely excited for the next chapter! And, I know I'll be back working in politics sooner than I know…I can't get enough of it!