An Intern's Thoughts on the Amarillo Intern Experience

Hi, it’s Lisa Silvestre, the Amarillo EDC’s summer intern. I recently participated in the Amarillo Intern Experience, a program that gathers college-age interns who are working for local businesses for a variety of events that showcase what Amarillo has to offer.

Since Amarillo is my hometown, I thought that I knew everything that the area had to offer, but as the events went on I quickly came to realize that there are hidden gems here: new places to eat and visit that show a different side of the Yellow City. Both of the events were fun and the experience itself felt like an adventure.

When I arrived at Cask & Cork, our first event, the atmosphere felt welcoming, there was a feeling of warmth and community among us that made the ice breakers interesting and generally funny. Though when I arrived, I only knew a few people, I was able to make new friends and talk about our different experiences working and living in Amarillo.

My favorite part of the Amarillo Intern Experience was the restaurant crawl through downtown, we went to four different restaurants, Moondoggy’s, Gooney’s, Six Car, and Crush, and tried different food at each. The event itself reminded us all of the field trips of our youth: running from one location to another, eyes filled with wonder.

Because of this experience, I have come to realize that there are much more opportunities here than I had originally thought: non-profit organizations to volunteer at, jobs and internships to apply for, and available scholarship programs. These revelations proved to me that though Amarillo is only “the biggest little city” in the panhandle, this community has a lot of potential to become a better and suitable environment for young creative people to stay and build their lives and careers here.

Amarillo has the potential to become an urban hub of development and growth, and to bring forth more economic diversity in the area. Though I will be moving back to Austin to finish my schooling, this experience has brought me a new sense of hope for the future of my hometown. I can’t wait to see all of the good things that come from the new generation of leaders being brought up here. The future looks bright for the Yellow City.