Reflections on a unique summer internship

by Comfort Oshagbemi, MVF Student Representative

This year has brought us some very uncertain times—like nothing we’d ever seen before—and the opportunity to adapt quickly. Yet with so much going on in the world and our country, I was able to find some structure and solace these past few months through a unique internship experience. This summer, I was given the opportunity to learn from the amazing staff at the Montgomery Village Foundation (MVF)—as the annual Montgomery Village Board of Directors Student Representative. Considering there were many physical limitations as a result of Coronavirus, I was still able to enact and fulfill my position remotely. That in no way, however, made my experience any less than what I expected.

Throughout the summer, I participated in numerous virtual meetings with a lot of prominent individuals. I was able to sit down and listen like I have never done before. In my interview with District 39 Senator Nancy King, we discussed her role on the Budget and Taxation Committee. This committee decides what the state budget looks like each fiscal year. She explained to me how the virus has been extremely impactful to the state government because of the lack of revenue, and as a result has shifted the committee’s focus to unemployment.

This is similar to the topics discussed in the monthly MVF Board meetings. The Draft 2021 Budget was just released; in planning, the budget had to address a lack of non-assessment revenue. It was interesting to see how similar the state and local governments are, especially in the type of problems they were facing during this pandemic. In addition, it was also very interesting to see how they are overcoming it and trying to return to a sense of normalcy.

I saw exactly this while I worked with the Architectural Standards Department, which focuses on the upkeep of the different standards in each neighborhood by making sure they stay harmonious with each other. I was able to observe and learn from them as they were able to proceed with their usual work including housing inspections and exterior remodeling applications. The architectural staff kept me engaged with topics about color swatches, filing a lawyer’s report, and why a cupola (an ornamental piece to the roof of a house) might be a bit outdated.

I also had the amazing opportunity to interview Montgomery County Council President Sidney Katz. It was delightful to hear that his day mirrored mine, as both were filled with constant virtual meetings. Our discussion ranged from talking about how important it was to have the level of technology that we did at the start of the pandemic, and how that has helped ease the burden of the past few months. We also talked about the county council planning its annual budget; of the $6 billion budget, about half is allocated towards education. As a high school student in Montgomery County, it helped me understand how education is prioritized in the county. Even Senator King, who has long been an advocate for education, told me about how she participates in the annual senatorial scholarship which provides scholarships to high school seniors for college. It was comforting to know that a program like this was available especially during such a chaotic time.

In working with the MVF Communications Department, I saw first hand how they keep everyone—Montgomery Village staff and residents— informed. They accomplish this through engaging multiple social networks, the MVF website (www.montgomeryvillage.com), the Village News (both in print and online) and marketing materials in conjunction with the Recreation Department.

As my internship comes to an end, I can truthfully say I’ve gained a lot of wisdom and experience from all the intricate parts that come together to serve and make our community work. I look forward to continuing as the Student Representative through the rest of this year, applying what I’ve learned to future MVF Board discussions. While the current pandemic did slightly change the overall experience, I felt that it was for the best because I was very immersed in my position as a result of trying to adapt to the climate that the pandemic left us in. What better time to see how well a community works than during a crisis that tests it.

While it’s a bit sad that I will not be able to start my morning with a daily joke waiting for me in the chatroom and a few virtual meetings, I know that I will always have all the skills and relationships that I fostered through this experience.