by Chelsea Mabry
As we all know 2020 has been nothing like we may have planned, but I have always been told to keep a steady head and roll with the punches. In March, when I accepted my internship with okPORK I had a whole list of things I thought I would get to experience. But, with shortened events, virtual meetings and mask mandates, this summer was far from what I expected.
This, however, was not a bad thing! The staff at okPORK welcomed me with open arms and a beautiful vase of flowers on my first day. From that moment I knew I was in the right spot, even if we didn’t know where the summer would lead us.
I was able to interview board members for multiple stories, travel to Guymon, Oklahoma, to pick up pigs that were donated to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, and, if I have to say so myself, I have become quite the food photographer.
Throughout the summer I also met with other interns from across the nation to brainstorms ways to bridge the gap between consumers and stakeholders in the swine industry. This gave me the opportunity to speak with them virtually and make connections I may have never had otherwise. In a day and age where technology is becoming a way of life, this definitely had a positive impact. It showed me that no matter the circumstances people are willing and able to connect.
This summer I was able to see a complete transformation of an event, one that normally last all day, to one that lasted less than four hours. I was able to see how even in a time of uncertainty, an office full of people can work together to make the most of the situation at hand.
As I was ending my time in the office at okPORK I sat down with Roy Lee and he said it best. “I hope you never have to use some of the things you learned this summer, but if you do at least you’ll have the skills to do so.”
That single sentence sums up how this year has gone for many of us. We may not know what the next step in life is, but each day we are learning to navigate through it. One day we will be able to look back on this experience and have the skills climb the next mountain.
My time with okPORK flew by, but the lessons I learned this summer are ones I will never forget.
