Article by Shelby Fortik
DSA Intern
Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” Within the past year, I have learned so much it’s hard to fathom how much I have grown. When I heard the news that I had been chosen as an intern for the Downtown Sheridan Association, I was beyond thrilled! Looking back, it is one of the best things that has happened in my life to date thus far and I am forever thankful.
I have to admit that in the beginning, I was slightly skeptical. I was unsure about what I would walk into and what I would find. However, after a few minutes of being interviewed by Beth Holsinger, I realized that she truly cared about what she did. There was a level of passion in the atmosphere that is hard to capture with words. I realized then that I was somehow in the right place at the right time.
Now, every day when I walk into the office inspires me to be a better person. From the first moment when I walk in the door, I am welcomed into a loving atmosphere by the wonderful women that work at DSA. They come to work every day and put their hard work into everything that they do. No matter what happens, these women are always there to listen and to lend a caring shoulder to cry on. It is empowering seeing all the great things that they do here. It is something that has changed me in ways that I cannot describe with words.
Regarding what I have learned, there are numerous things that I have been taught this year. However, there is one main life lesson that stands out, and that is to let your job be something you are passionate about. Prior to working here, I had no experience working in a place where there was real passion in the business. This is an experience that has shown me what true passion means and what it feels like to work where there is heart. I can truly say that no matter what happens in the future, I intend to let my job be something that gives me pure joy.
I am grateful that I received the honor of being both a student and an intern at Sheridan College. Without the wonderful people that I have met, I would not have gotten an opportunity to be where I am today. I look forward to seeing how the Downtown Sheridan Association impacts Sheridan in the future. No matter what they decide to do, I know they will only bring good changes. Above all, I look forward to learning more from these wonderful people as they grow and seeing what the future brings.
