Engaging gallery experience with Lydia Paterson: Summer Student InternshipÂ
1 — What are you enjoying most about your internship?
I enjoy being able to help out with many different aspects of the gallery. This has allowed me to experience what jobs within this sector can provide. It’s also been great to work with such a close group who are all willing to teach what they know and provide me with guidance. There is only a small handful of us working within the Art Gallery, so it is a great tight-knit community.
2 — What is your takeaway from this experience so far?
I have learned that there are more opportunities for artists than I thought. Many of my coworkers are Mount Allison graduates who graduated from the Fine Arts and Art History programs and they have all gone in a bunch of different directions. It has been interesting to see where my degree can potentially take me. Before this internship, I wanted to go into education, but now, after working at the Confederation Centre, it has me considering if working in a hands-on position within a gallery would be a direction that I would like to go in.
3 — What knowledge and skills are you developing?
I am starting to develop research skills that I did not have prior to this internship. This experience has pushed me to discover new ways of examining information. Before, I was very reliant on online research, but now my perspective has broadened and the methods I have learned will be transferable to my university courses and future jobs that I will have.
4 — How has this internship impacted your university experience?
Going into my fourth year, I think I have a better understanding about where I want to take my fourth-year fine arts courses after having conversations with past graduates who work at the gallery.
5 — What have you learned about what fuels your fire?
I've always wanted to have a career that is hands-on in some way. I have also always loved creating and this opportunity has given me the chance to do both. It has been a great experience to go to work and genuinely enjoy what you’re doing.
Learn more about student internship opportunities at Mount Allison.
This internship is funded by the Pierre Lassonde Family Foundation.
