ECT Foundation Internship: The Inspiration to Student Leadership Development

Abstract

B ecoming a true member of AECT is not only presenting and discussing research during the conference, but also planning and serving in AECT events to improve our academic community before and after the convention. This belief has been weighing on my mind since my eyes were opened to AECT leadership by my mentors at Indiana University, Bloomington who are excellent researchers in the field as well as outstanding leaders in AECT. During the 2009 ECT Foundation Internship Program, I discovered contributions of leaders in AECT behind the scenes for continuing its prestige in instructional technology as a professional organization. It allowed me to consider the importance of leadership in academia again. For example, I was able to observe the editorial board meeting of, Educational Technology, Research, & Development and the governance meeting of the Distance Learning Division. It was a wonderful chance to meet past and present leaders in the field. I could deepen my understanding about the publishing business and the administration of a division, so I could understand their vital roles as part of AECT even more than before. Through social gatherings in the internship program such as Breakfasts with Leaders in the Field and Shadowing, I also could hear about how leaders opened doors to get into the AECT leadership and learn how they collaborated to develop research within the association. It was a great experience and it helped me comprehend the value of mentoring and networking for advancing knowledge in the field. In addition, while working with former and current interns for service projects for the next convention, I recognized the necessity for building up leadership skills for promoting active participation of members as well as improving management skills for organizing professional conference events. I encourage my friends at graduate school to apply for the internship because it is a great opportunity to take a step forward in AECT leadership as a student. I hope they will aspire to be an intern before graduation. The shiny AECT Intern medal is not only useful as a behind-the-scenes pass at the conference, it inspires one to accomplish meaningful success in his or her academic career and steer in the direction of exciting leadership development..