You might wonder what it’s like to be an intern at Allen Centennial Garden. Will I mostly be making copies or actually getting practical work experience? We’ve gathered some feedback from our interns that we hope will help answer your questions. Our goal is to support the professional development of our interns through many hands-on experiences, field trips, and leadership opportunities that will help you reach and explore your career goals.
What was the most rewarding part of your internship?
The most transformative aspect of my internship was the connections I forged, not just with fellow interns but also with volunteers, visitors, and professionals we encountered throughout the summer. These relationships enriched my experience immeasurably over the summer. Equally impactful was the clarity I gained regarding my future. Previously uncertain about my career path, I discovered a deep passion for public gardening, igniting my desire to pursue this field further. This internship has shaped my aspirations and solidified my commitment to making a meaningful contribution in this area.
-Molly Zimmermann Horticulture Intern
The most rewarding part of the internship for me was learning about botany and horticulture from my fellow interns, as well as the Director and Staff. The garden is an incredible place that functions as a practicum for all the lessons that you learn in formal horticulture and botany classes, but also helps you come to grips with other very important lessons: (1) there is a wide gap between theory and practice, (2) team work is paramount, and (3) celebrate the unique strengths that people have around you so that you can all succeed together. I am so grateful that I had the chance to do the ACG internship.
~ Fernando Horticulture
Why would you recommend being an intern?
Interning provides a unique opportunity to connect not only with like-minded individuals, but also with life within the garden. One of the most rewarding aspects of interning is seeing the garden change naturally and at the hands of you and your team. I enjoyed the sense of accomplishment felt by contributing to a garden meaningful to many visitors and the experience I gained along the way.
-Sydney Stohr Horticulture Intern
I would absolutely recommend the internship. The internship is a great balance of project management, teamwork, and both structured and unstructured learning. The Director curates really great personal development opportunities, which helps students obtain a good understanding of what role horticulture plays in society. If you enjoy being outdoors but also want to be on the UW campus, this is the internship for you!
~ Fernando Horticulture Intern
What makes a good intern?
A good intern is curious, open-minded, organized, and willing to learn. Someone who isn’t afraid to ask questions and tries new things will thrive.
– Margaux Education and Community Programs Intern
Someone who likes plants, enjoys working with others and is enthusiastic to try new things.
-Pearl Education and Community Programs Intern
Someone who loves to learn, enjoys interacting with nature, and is ready to collaborate in a team environment.
-Lizzy Urban Food Systems Intern
A good sense of commitment makes a great intern. When the lessons you want to learn are outside, interacting with plants and people, and being an ambassador of ACG, this promotes the kind of growth you need to be successful in the internship ~ Fernando Horticulture Intern
What’s one thing you did not expect to learn?
One unexpected but rewarding project was assisting with the wedding florals. When looking for flowers to cut, many factors had to be considered such as the couple’s color preferences, what would last when sitting out, and ensuring that the bloom could be stored for a few days while it was arranged and transported to the venue. This was much more to think about compared to the standard bouquet making program that the Garden runs. In addition, one of the wedding parties wanted the Garden to lead a workshop on making corsages, boutonnieres, wedding bouquets, and more. I found myself reading and watching as many tutorials as I could and trying to replicate what I saw the night before. The late night paid off when I saw how happy the couple and their families were as they worked to create the florals and I felt even more fulfilled that I was able to help realize their magical day.
~Lila Education and Community Programs Intern
One thing I didn’t expect to learn through this internship was how to harvest honey! I learned how to use an electric hot knife to uncap the honeycomb. During the internship, though every intern has their own role, there are times such as honey harvesting where we all come together to work on a project. I had a lot of fun during these times and got to learn a lot of things that I didn’t expect and spend time with my awesome coworkers.
-Pearl Education and Community Programs Intern
What plant did you most bond with?
Arborvitae (genus Thuja). I helped plant many of the new dwarf conifers . I gave a small ‘plant walk’ presentation on some dwarf conifers, and learning about Arborvitae was really fun! I also think it’s the cutest dwarf conifer in the garden. ~ Fernando Horticulture Intern
Japanese Indigo (Persicaria tinctoria). I became well acquainted with Japanese Indigo this summer as it is a dye plant that makes a blue pigment. Indigo is used throughout Garden programming from dye specific workshops to massage dyeing with children. It was also included on my plant walk about various dye plants. ~Lila Education and Community Programs Intern
What’s the team like?
The team is incredibly welcoming, knowledgeable, and supportive. Everyone genuinely wants interns to succeed and explore their interests. It’s a collaborative environment where you feel comfortable asking questions, trying new things, and learning from people with a wide range of expertise. – Margaux Education and Community Programs Intern
The Director and Supporting Staff are incredibly supportive and knowledgeable. Talk to them about any and all of your curiosities concerning horticulture. ~ Fernando Horticulture Intern
The team at Allen Centennial Garden is truly a family. It is clear that both the interns and the Director & Supporting Staff work to bring their individual talents to the benefit of the Garden and also care about each other on a personal level. The supportive environment means that interns feel safe to try things they are unfamiliar with and that challenges are framed as learning experiences. ~Lila Education and Community Programs Intern
What did you learn from your intern project?
My intern project was creating tree stump planters. It taught me how to navigate unexpected challenges, such as needing to allocate more time than anticipated and adapting to new techniques and methods. This reinforced the importance of flexibility and the ability to persevere when something doesn’t go as planned. Ultimately, my intern project strengthened my ability to manage unpredictability and address it creatively.
-Sydney Stohr Horticulture Intern
One thing I learned from my intern project was how important community knowledge and partnerships are. When I first proposed a new workshop based around embroidery and plant-based dyes, the Garden Directors offered not only their own expertise in regards to fiber arts and plant dyes, but also connected me with other community members that greatly enriched the project and my own knowledge. It was also rewarding to speak with those that attended the various workshops and hear about their experience with the arts and nature. ~Lila Education and Community Programs Intern
