I recently had the honor of hosting a high school student intern from the Leaves of Learning school in Loveland, Ohio. My intern, Siobhan, has an interest in studying computer game development in college, and hopes to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design. So, while I don’t know anything about game animation and programming, I think I was at least a bit of a help in showing what its like to work with design and computer programming.

As her project, Siobhan created her own website (with a little help from yours truly) to use as a resume and personal portfolio in hopes of impressing the college admissions board. The site turned out quite well considering she knew nothing about website design when she first stepped through my door.

After our five sessions together, I think we both came out having learned a little bit. Its really great to be able to give a little advice to someone who is in the same situation you were 10 years ago. I never had anyone to hold my hand or tell me how college and post-college were going to work, so any advice I can give makes me feel like I’ve done my small little part to help.

After the internship was over, I was invited to be the guest speaker for the internship group at Leaves of Learning. I have to say, I was very impressed by the students and their desire to learn everything they could about their future career options. I was also impressed by the teachers and how much they care about the students, as well as the personal relationships they have formed with each and every one of them.  What a great group of people!

All in all, it was a great experience that I wouldn’t trade for the world. If anyone reading this has the opportunity to advise or mentor a student, I would highly recommend it. Its an awesome and fulfulling feeling to know you have passed along some of your knowledge to a younger generation.