Alumna Name:  Sabrina Gonzalez 

Pronouns:  She/Her/Hers

Dates Served: Summer of 2019 and 2020

What Internship was Sabrina in: Museum technician at Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial and a Historian intern at Homestead National Monument of America. Sabrina was also accepted into the National Park Service Academy of 2020.

Q:  What were you doing before ACE?  How did you hear about ACE?

A: I was a sophomore at Rutgers University trying to figure out my career path as a dual major in history and political science. I wanted to explore different fields of history, so I worked, and still do, as a research assistant at Mid-Atlantic Regional Center for the Humanities on the Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia. I enjoyed my work here but wanted to branch out. So I decided to join the Washington Center in Washington D.C. as a librarian intern at the Navy Department Library. During my time at the library, I began to branch out again because I did not feel completely fulfilled there. My goal was to combine my passion for history and conservation into one. So after a vast amount of searching online, I discovered an opening at Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial as a museum technician. My experience at the Navy Department Library helped me land this position because of the work I completed on the library’s archives and catalogs.

 Q: Walk me through your time with ACE? What was your favorite aspect of being an ACE EPIC intern?  

A: My time with ACE began in May 2019. Since then, I have researched, cataloged, dressed in 19th-century attire, milked dairy cows, welded, assisted visitors, helped with museum installations, and so much more all for the National Park Service. My favorite aspect has to be working with the park’s museum curators. I have seen documents signed by Abraham Lincoln, Horace Albright, and other American historical figures.

 Q:  When did you serve and where? What was your role?

A: I was a museum technician at Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial and a historian intern at Homestead National Monument of America. I was also accepted into the National Park Service Academy of 2020.

 Q:  What are you most proud of during your internship?  Why?

A: Since my time with ACE, I have been most proud to be part of the Planted in the Soil project at Homestead National Monument of America. I was able to research female homesteaders and share their worthy stories with the public.

Q:  In what ways did ACE shape your life personally and professionally?

A: ACE has shaped my professional career because I know that a career with the National Park Service is right for me.

Q: What are you up to now?  Are you still working on conservation?

A: I am happy to say that I am a student trainee park guide at Joshua Tree National Park.

Q:  How do you fill your time outside of work?

A: Outside of work I am exploring new hikes and trying to collect park stamps.

Q:  What comes next?  What are your future goals?

A: I hope to continue my work in conservation and interpretation as a park historian. 

Q:  If a prospective ACE member were to ask you what the benefits of joining ACE are, what would you say?  

A: If a prospective ACE member were to ask me the benefits of joining ACE, I would say the opportunity to be part of a cohort that is focused around providing you the tools to grow as a young professional.

 

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