An unexpected turn of events brought me closer to understanding the importance of preservation. My journey into the Rockefeller Archive Center was slightly unorthodox. With no prior experience in or knowledge of archiving, I was extremely grateful for the opportunity to learn about the field. I leave feeling like a more well-rounded, knowledgeable student.
Life presented my family with an unexpected circumstance in the midst of my fall semester. My grandmother, who is seventy-five years old and lives alone on her rustic ranch in the high hills of Jalisco, MX, fell ill and was hospitalized for nearly four weeks. As the eldest daughter of hardworking and loving Mexican immigrants, I felt it was my duty to comfort my grandmother, support my father, and assist with paperwork or any other needs. While sifting through my grandmother’s collection of receipts and paperwork, I discovered some old family photos. It was the first time I had ever seen my father as a young boy! The resemblance between his younger self and me was so astonishing that it brought tears to my eyes. Further into my deep dive, I found a signed document of my great-grandfather’s work agreement for the tomato fields in California during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency. This discovery sparked emotions, curiosity, and a bit of frustration as to why I am only now learning about my family’s history. This revelation was the driving force behind my decision to apply for the spring internship at the Rockefeller Archive Center.
Starting my role as an intern, I experienced the serene winter with fluffy snow, transitioning to the vibrant spring greenery where chirping birds welcomed me each morning. As a former Californian living in the city, the crystalline, thick snow was an absolute dream. The beautiful building holds a wealth of history, from original office tables to Nobel Prize awards, making it a delightful place to work.
Everyone at the Archive Center was welcoming and kind, imparting new knowledge to me every day. From the process of accessioning materials to preservation and making documents accessible, everyone on all of the teams was open to answering all of my questions. Growing up in an era where the internet and AI can seemingly answer any research question, I am grateful that this internship taught me the significant impact of storytelling through archival documents. Without this experience, I would not have been able to understand how contacts were saved in a Rolodex (let alone what a Rolodex is), the language and verbiage used in correspondence (notably more professional than today’s emails), the power of film and video, and the stories that can be gleaned from having all this information. The concept of storytelling holds such a significant part of life and can be easily lost in the new digital world.
I had the privilege of participating in three tours at the RAC, each time learning something drastically different from the previous experience. Through conversations and research, I gained insights into the philanthropic contributions of the Rockefeller family. I was invited to select an assortment of photographs from the collections for new artwork that will be displayed on the walls of the RAC offices. Visiting a 6th-grade class was an unexpected yet insightful field trip. I shadowed this outreach initiative that educates students on analytical work and critical thinking. The importance of preserving history provided these students with an opportunity to learn about different formats of archival materials—resources that Google cannot readily provide. I also observed how adept these children were with Canva. As they showcased their websites, it motivated me to enhance my skills in graphic design.
For my long-term project, I was tasked with researching various corporate agencies that lacked existing Wikidata pages. Many of these organizations had descriptions in RAC’s online finding aids, Dimes, and for those without information, I conducted additional research. Through this work, I honed my analytical skills and developed critical competencies in fact-checking and data entry. I gained a profound understanding of the Rockefellers’ philanthropic endeavors and other philanthropic organizations beyond the Rockefeller name. As someone previously unfamiliar with the rich history of New York City, I now possess a wealth of knowledge that would impress at any social gathering. This experience and project significantly enhanced my research skills and bolstered my confidence in presenting my findings.
Even outside of archival conversations, I was able to learn from the personal aspirations and passions of this amazing team. From shadowing work in social media planning to learning effective podcasting techniques, I am confidently leaving with a network of generous individuals who are open to sharing their expertise with me. I genuinely believe that fostering such interpersonal relationships will always teach me something important and leave a lasting impression.
I am extremely grateful for my time at the Rockefeller Archive Center in collaboration with the City College of New York. Although this might seem like a small experience to others, as a young woman from a small town with limited choices and opportunities, this program has granted me the confidence and opportunity to grow both professionally and personally. As a communications major, beyond learning so much rich history, I am able to apply my research and analytical work gained here to my interests in public relations and advertising. I feel incredibly fortunate for the friendships I have made here, and I hope to one day look back and thank everyone who played a meaningful part in my career journey!