Norah Wills Summer Internship Reflection

As my time at the Indiana Bar Foundation comes to an end, I want to take a moment to reflect on all that I have learned throughout this amazing experience. From becoming intimately familiar with Canva to creating an exhaustive list of restaurants and attractions throughout Indiana, I have had an absolutely fantastic experience as a Foundation intern. So much so, in fact, that I only have one bad thing to say: that it’s only 8 weeks long! I can only imagine how much I would learn if I were able to stay here for the whole summer. 

That is not to say that there has been any shortage of things to do. Myself and my co-intern, Liam, have been kept delightfully busy in these 8 weeks. We started running, making social media content for the Foundation’s Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon. Not only did this serve to familiarize me with Canva, but I also learned a bit about the community involved with the Bar Foundation through the three honorees of the Foundation’s yearly awards. To me, it was really inspiring to witness the breadth of talent that believes in the Foundation’s mission and vision. 

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention our field trips. The Foundation was so generous to take us to visit Bloomington for the annual We the People Summer Institute; West Lafayette for the Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellowship; and downtown Indianapolis for a tour of the federal district courthouse and to listen to an oral argument before the Indiana Supreme Court. To me, the Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellowship at Purdue was especially impactful, as I was able to observe international students from a host of different European countries – the UK, Albania, Estonia, Sweden, Spain – have a discussion with two judges from the Court of Appeals about the American judicial system. Outside of the United States, I have only traveled to Mexico, so I am not very familiar with other countries’ governments. This experience was eye-opening.

Finally, we have spent the end of our internship focusing on garnering donations for the silent auction at the Foundation’s 75th Anniversary Celebration Gala in October. In all honesty, I have been humbled by the support of the community in their dedication to make this event unforgettable. Many of the businesses and organizations we have contacted have been eager to help upon hearing the Foundation’s mission and vision, and I think that speaks for itself on how impactful the Foundation has been in its 75 years.

I have had the most wonderful time as an intern this summer at the Indiana Bar Foundation. I know that I will be walking away from this experience as a better version of myself, having gained skills that I will apply to whatever I choose to do in the future.