A TPAC Intern Says Thanks

Today marks my last day as a communications and education intern with TPAC. The experiences and people I met while working here will stay with me for the rest of my life.

When I decided to take an internship at TPAC, I had no idea what to expect. Moving to a city hundreds of miles away from everything I knew was intimidating, but the staff welcomed me with open arms and supported me every step of the way.

In May, I graduated from the University in Wisconsin, packed my car with the essentials (clothes, shoes and a coffee pot) and moved to Nashville. The city welcomed this Wisconsin girl with record breaking heat, CMA festival traffic, and of course an insane amount of BIG bugs. But I loved every minute of it. Since Wisconsin summers are often referred to as three months of bad sledding, not having to wear a jacket all summer was a “Love this!” experience.

I quickly learned that sweet tea is consumed like water, fried is the only way to eat chicken, and Mac n’ Cheese is considered a vegetable. I also learned that air conditioning is a blessing from God, cowboy boots are a fashion staple, and “Sugar” – well you just kinda have to go with it.

As I wrap up final projects and clean my desk, I can’t believe how quickly the summer flew. And I’m amazed with all I’ve been able to do. I worked alongside the PR team in promoting “The Nutty Professor” Musical, helped TPAC Education with their Summer Institute, developed promotional plans for TPAC’s children’s album, Give Yourself a High Five, and tackled a variety of projects that came up in each department. There were new lessons to be learned and exciting experiences every day.

Every person at TPAC taught me something, and I want to take this moment to say “Thank You!” The reason TPAC is so great is because of the people who fill the “behind the scenes” roles, and it was an honor to work with them this summer. Not only did TPAC staff encourage me on a daily basis, they also prepared me for my first steps into the professional world. For these things I am forever grateful.

I’m sad to leave TPAC behind. But as I watch the Nashville skyline disappear in my rearview mirror, I will take all the wonderful lessons, memories – and a killer addiction to sweet tea – back with me to America’s dairy land.

- Cassie