Summer Review: Top Moments from a Summer in Quarantine

Hi all-

My name is Shailyn Lineberry and I’m an undergraduate student working as a Student Marketing Assistant here at the Ritchie School! Although I love working with all of our engineering and computer science students, I’m actually studying International Studies, Spanish, and Marketing. I’ve been working at the Ritchie School since February 2018. Some of the exciting projects I’ve been a part of include assisting with ChickTech events, helping out with Girls with Gadgets, and creating some of event flyers that you may see in the halls at the School. I also help with writing the weekly newsletter you all receive in your inboxes—make sure to check out the next Weekly Download!

I want to take a moment to reflect on how I spent my time throughout an unprecedented summer. Between quarantine movie marathons with my roommates or my strange baking phase, I interned with a local non-profit and made time to explore Colorado!

1. Interning with Empowering Education

In the Spring quarter, I began an internship with a local non-profit called Empowering Education. I was able to continue my role in the organization throughout the summer as well. The organization provides K-8 social and emotional learning (SEL) curriculums that are mindfulness-based and trauma-informed. I assisted with digital marketing by creating and editing blog posts, designed content for social media, and practiced my search engine optimization skills. I was even able to use my Spanish comprehension skills whenever I reviewed curriculum translations. I learned how to grow a brand, speak to community partners, and be more confident in the ideas that I bring to the table!

2. Fishing with Cameron in Crested Butte

At the end of my Spring quarter final exams, I was able to travel with my awesome boyfriend Cameron to his hometown of Crested Butte, Colorado. He also happens to be a mechanical engineering student at the Ritchie School! During our trip, we hiked a 13,500 ft mountain, spent time with his family, and fished on the river. I can’t say I caught anything, but he caught five. Most of the time, I bring my book and watch him fish but during this trip, he taught me the basics of fly fishing.

3. Catching Up with My Host Family

In my downtime, I was able to communicate with my host family. Last fall, I studied abroad at the University of Sevilla in Sevilla, Spain. It was a great way for me to continue speaking Spanish whenever I could, and it is always interesting for me to gain international perspectives on world events, such as a global pandemic, as well as events that are happening domestically. I was able to have open conversations in my second language about complex themes like practicing anti-racism, protests occurring in the United States, and systemic issues. I cherish my host family so much and I hope to visit them again in the future!

I hope that everyone is having a healthy and safe Fall quarter so far, and if you ever have questions about working with a non-profit or studying abroad, I’d love to connect.