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“I can’t believe it went by so fast.” Isn’t that what every college student says when they wrap up a new experience like a semester-long internship? In my last few days living in Washington, DC I actually feel that I am living and breathing these words. As I sit down to write this post I am just thinking of all the places I should have made the time to visit and the restaurants I should have made time to dine at. In a matter of days I will be on a plane heading home to the other Washington that is 2,786 miles away from where I sit now, and yes, I mapped the distance.

The end of this trip to DC also marks the end of what was part one to my two part senior year of undergraduate studies at Arizona State University. Reality will soon set in as I return to the Grand Canyon State to finish up my final months as a Sun Devil. In continuing with this “coming to an end” theme I’ve started, I realize that I will soon have to decide what it is that I want to do after graduation in May. Even though I don’t know exactly what that is just yet, I have had gained much experience and insight during my three and a half months at Center for Education Reform that has helped me reaffirm that I do in fact want to work in the vast world of education and I can continue to guide myself in that direction.

Being at CER has helped me fumble around with a few career paths that I would most definitely see myself in. Attending debates on the Common Core curriculum and discussions on teacher quality helps me think about being on the legislative side of education reform, while visiting several charter schools has made me ponder the idea of becoming a teacher. Either way, I know that my path leads to helping children in the K-12 system obtain the quality education they deserve.

My biggest takeaways while being at CER first include the extensive knowledge I’ve gained about individual states, from their school funding to their teacher evaluation systems put in place. I have also learned what exactly is the Common Core curriculum, which states have taken it on and what supporters and those who oppose it think of these standards that have become such a controversial topic. Through daily news clip research and Media Bullpen, I have been able to go state by state and see just what is happening in terms of teacher evaluations, online learning, education legislation, and more.

My last day here at Center for Education snuck up on me, to say the least. I feel as if I have so many more things to learn but just did not have the time to learn them. Despite this, I am appreciative of the great staff that I was able to work with four times a week, I took away something from them each day that I left the office. I truly wish CER the best as they continue to grow as a leading force for educational change throughout the country. I could not have had a better experience and I am grateful for the opportunity. Thank you CER!