I engage with customers and multitask to ensure all their needs are met while going the extra mile to give the best experience. I continue to gain many technical and professional skills like answering the phone, writing important emails, and using the software Skyware. I help manage tours of the inn, assist in conducting weddings and events, and market the location to potential customers in meetings.

I am a Research Associate for the head of the Penn State Center for Economic and Community Development. I conduct research focused on community development and engagement practices, sustainability initiatives, economics, and Indigenous Knowledge. Collaborate and manage partnerships with professors and research professionals to complete written projects. Expanded my professional skills in areas such as administrative work and grant writing.

Assist the Professor of Agricultural, Environmental, and Regional Economics in instructing Community, Local Knowledge, and Democracy. Advised students in their work in the class, facilitated discussions, and became a reliable resource for students while also conducting administrative work such as organizing reading material.

In this role, I collaborated on a variety of projects, including creating surveys, transforming data into meaningful reports, compiling resources, conducting research, designing website content, creating posters, and engaging with the community. Additionally, all interns participated in hands-on work, such as weeding and harvesting on the farm, and assisting with Food Hub operations, including organizing CSA boxes. These activities fostered strong bonds among the interns and staff.

Completed 200-Hour Yoga Alliance Training to become a certified yoga instructor in April 2022. Teach yoga classes four times a week, lead a guided meditation, analyze the history and Sanskrit texts, study anatomy and psychological functions, develop an understanding of ayurvedic science and spend 5-8 hours a week at the yoga studio.

Sustainable agriculture and food systems are topics I am passionate about and the Student Farm gave me the opportunity to have hands-on experiences working with my local food system. Getting my hands dirty and working on the Student Farm and greenhouses has been one of the highlights of my time at Penn State. I was able to gain many sustainable agriculture skills, meet new people with similar passions, and learn more about plant and soil science. This experience deepened my understanding of agriculture and respect for those who contribute to our food systems. This collaboration also led me to two major research projects my senior year including a qualitative research project with students about food insecurity at Penn State and an herbal tea research project.

Conducted water-use data analysis and created meaningful reports for citizens, local government, and leadership organizations. Crafted community engagement and adult education tools to advocate for water conservation practices and policies. Managed relationships with local municipalities and water departments to organize advocacy events.

Creating and designing a weekly newsletter for Hummustown Roma, a nonprofit organization focused on providing economic development for Syrian Refugees and others in the area facing homelessness or food insecurity. Networking with nonprofit organizations and businesses in the area to accelerate participation and create partnership events. Composing social media content to promote the nonprofit and communicate with supporters. Volunteering at Hummustown events and engaging with the local community. I am completing this internship while I am studying abroad for the semester in Rome, Italy.