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Old Trail Museum Internship

Project Exploration’s exciting partnership with the Old Trail Museum gives two Junior Paleontologist (JP) alumni the opportunity to live and work in the badlands of Choteau, Montana at the Old Trail Museum for three weeks during the summer. This internship enables advanced students to enhance their understanding of paleontology and geology, to fine-tune their communication and leadership skills, and to experience the life and culture of Montana.

Read the stories and see the images of this past summer’s 2003 Old Trail Museum interns: Angie, a 11th grader at John Hope College Prep and Andres, an 11th grader at Perspectives Charter School.

2003

REFLECTIONS ON BEING AN INTERN

Angie Being an Intern was a great experience and I would love to be part of the Old Trail Museum Staff again. I did a lot in three weeks. Some of the things we did were hard and other things were easy, but I had fun. Being an intern gave me the opportunity to learn more about old friends, new friends and interesting people. Erin and Todd, Old Trail Museum staff, taught me lessons about geology, paleontology and life. Erin told Andres and I, “service is a duty and you have to choose who you are going to serve. Whether its religion wise, relationship wise, or job wise, you can’t go through life without serving someone or something. Either you choose for yourself or they will choose for you.” We had plenty of lessons and things we learned, but that stayed with me. Erin made me think about who I’m going to serve and I hope I choose wisely.	Angie, Junior Paleontologist and Old Trail Museum Intern
I had plenty of crazy experience being around the Old Trail Museum staff. They bring out the happy, goofy person that I am. I had so much fun with them. If I had to choose a favorite moment I would not be able to because all of my moments with them and in Montana were precious. Some of my favorite moments were laughing and goofing off on our way to Choteau, that first awkward moment being in our host family’s house, Andres and I making our first jacket with Todd, and that 12-hour workday.
The most challenging aspect of being an intern has to be giving my “Bentonite” speech to the new group of JP’s. I’m a nervous and shy person who doesn’t like presenting anything in front of anyone. Another challenge was saying goodbye to Montana and the Old Trail Museum folks. I love Montana because it’s quiet and beautiful. We’ve been through a lot in three weeks and I spent so much time with Erin and Todd. Three weeks is a long time to get to know people and change their lives- and that’s what Todd and Erin did for me.	Erin and Todd, Old Trail Museum Staff

Andres One of my favorite parts that I experienced as an intern working with the Old Trail Museum was being out in the field with Angie, Todd and Erin. I enjoyed being out in the field with Old Trail Museum tour groups but it wasn’t the same feeling of being a real paleontologist as which is what I got with Angie and the Old Trail Museum staff.
This group of people knew that I was doing something with my life and not doing stupid things that will mess up my life in the future. I loved being out in the field everyday. It gave me a taste of what my future is going to be like as I’m getting to it. The thrill of searching for the remains of a pre-historic animal, the relaxing feeling of working in a quarry is overwhelming. Even though it would get to be 100 degrees and I would wear black everyday, it didn’t matter. I was having the best time doing what I love and I have Project Exploration and the Old Trail Museum to thank for it.
Andres (second from right) with the Old Trail Museum Staff
Before I left Chicago I told myself that I wasn’t going to be afraid, that I wasn’t going to be nervous or shy. I wanted to socialize with groups I just met. I wanted to be an outgoing kid like many of my friends. That wasn’t the case. I spoke to some people but not like I wanted. I didn’t feel like I did my best socially. I did well in answering Paleo questions and other questions. I did well in prospecting and quarry work, but not socially. Others thought that I did well, that I did great. I know I could’ve done better. Next year I will better prepare myself so I can tell my life story to a person I just met.
Click Here for the OTM Internship Photo Gallery

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