When I returned home from Anaheim the other day my small children were excited to see the medal that I wore all week in Anaheim. When I took it out of the suitcase they asked to try it on and thrilled when they got a turn to wear it.

I have been to AECT a few times and always saw the interns with the bright red ribbon and hunk of metal at the end. They always seemed busy and a bit unreachable during the week. But now, having had the experience myself, I have taken some time to reflect on what it meant for me to wear an ECT intern medal...and reflect on AECT itself.

Even though we expect to hear this it is one of the most accurate ways to describe the experience: It was a real honor to be an intern. We were busy too but I hope we were reachable and that we reached out. Many doors open for interns and I was and am grateful for that. I encourage all doctoral students in our field to prepare and apply for an ECT intern award during their degree.

I applied two years ago for the award but I was not prepared. I was not going to apply again this year but with the encouragement of a colleague, I decided to try again. I was surprised to find that the application process was very fulfilling this time (same process, different attitude). It gave me a chance to look critically at what I have done and how I have been involved in AECT and the field since the first time I applied. Filling out the application was like writing down some good memories--in fact that's what it was. I could honestly say at the time I submitted the application that even if I was not selected this year I was glad to have gone through the application process for what it taught me and for the motivation and increased commitment I felt (and feel) toward AECT.

Fellow grad students: Apply to be an ECT intern if it is something you are at all interested in--whether you receive an award or not. You may be surprised to get that "Congratulations" letter and the benefits that ensue. But even if you do not receive an ECT award, I hope you have come to see that AECT is an organization that affords you rich chances for collaboration, friendship, and professional development. Doors will open to you if you knock. Even with a medallion, we had to make the most of the opportunities given to us last week. Making the most of something is a principle for one and all, and AECT is a place that is particularly conducive for the practice of it.