b'student perspective: hannah gates 22This summer I embarked on a missionwith JessHenry-Cross, SCMAs financial and systemscoordinator, to reveal the stories of the museums data. Over the course of my 11-week internship,we studied our audiences interaction with theSCMA website and individual departments, andhow that picture has changed since the onset of COVID-19. I loved delving into the intricate patterns and behavior of our audience, and using myfindings to make suggestions for data-driven deci-sions across the museums operations.I feel incredibly fortunate to have been a part challenges, innovation and a long-overdue reckoning of SCMAs dedicated group of supportive, criticallywith systemic injustices that undeniably shape the thinking team members. Every meeting I had with foundations of America. During my internship, I was Jess was full of laughter and encouragement, learningregularly impressed and grateful for the energyand guidance, and the occasional visit from the SCMA staff constantly dedicates to diversity, equity,sweetest dog ever, little Ermen. When I met with accessibility and inclusion work. The summer internsmembers of other departments to consult about theirmet weekly to discuss many aspects of the fielddata, what stories they wanted me to look for, andof museums, and nearly every meeting we directly how the analysis could guide their future efforts, I wasaddressed anti-racism, decolonization and efforts blown away by how quickly they swooped me up to make SCMA and museum spaces everywhere into their world as a valued partner, not just somemore accessible for BIPOC and other minorities. This intern there to do undesirable tasks. I worked as adedication made me proud to be working within a collaborator; I felt like a professional consultant!community that values reshaping the status quo and A highlight of my internship was my final week,empowering historically underrepresented andwhen the Membership Department asked me to oppressed communities.create an extensive presentation for a subcommittee I am grateful to have had this opportunity to of the Museum Visiting Committee. I was givenbuild my data analysis skills, work collaborativelycomplete autonomy, and my summer of guidancewithin SCMA and strengthen my commitment to and scaffolding to that point made me confident inaddressing inequality in the field of museums and my ability to provide what was asked. When I sharedbeyond. This practical experience will guide me asthe final project, Jess was so proud she told me sheI continue my journey as a Museums Concentrator at wanted to buy me a pony! I know this success was onlySmith and as a museum professional after graduation, possible due to the support and one-on-one teachingand I know the relationships I formed will continueJess had dedicated to me, a testament to the valueon as we all move through our brave new world.connecting people to ideasSCMA placed in me and other interns this summer.We were a valued part of a team and community. Hannah Gates 22 is an education major and MuseumsFor many across the country and world, this Concentrator. She was a 2020 remote summer data analyst past year has been a time of unprecedented intern in finance and administration.45'