My journey to being a MAIP 2021 Fellow

"Application submitted"

I did it! I had spent a little bit over one month working on my MAIP application. From being convinced to apply (thank you so much Tamara, MAIP class of 2020, https://www.tamara-vasquez.com/), to answering prompts, and asking for letters of recommendation, all of the pieces of the application were complete and submitted.

The video I had to make was the most interesting part of the application. Here is the perfect way to describe how I felt at the beginning of the video-making process: 🥴-. (You can see my cringe-y video at the bottom of this post🙈) I was able to learn a new skill from scratch and figure out a way to describe myself and my values as the awkward, introverted, and creative person that I am. Using the metaphor of galaxies and space, because go knights! (obviously), I was able to share my values of family, friends, and education along with my growth throughout my time in undergrad. Giving agencies a peak into what I could bring to their team was quite the task and a great time to allow for some introspection.

"Congrats! You are a MAIP 2021 Semi-Finalist!"

I cannot describe the emotions I felt finding out I was selected as a semi-finalist. Having to wait a month to find out if I made it to the first round made me so restless, jumpy, and excited all at the same time. I knew that this was only the beginning to a great and long journey that would lead me to be a 2021 MAIPer.

"Congratulations! You have been given an offer!"

You are a Finalist! Selection day is on its way. Making it past the semi-final round was super exciting. I couldn’t believe I had made it so far.

Selection day was a bit of a bumpy road. I wasn't selected for an internship until a few weeks later. The waiting game was super intense, constantly checking the MAIP portal. However, it was the best thing that could have happened to me. Working in a discipline outside of what I had chosen was unexpected, but a great twist - more on that in "My experience in the MAIP program."