My name is Olivia Muse, and I am a senior at Vestal High School and a part of the New Visions Business Academy. A highlight of New Visions are the rotations, where high school seniors visit local businesses to gain work experience. For the past four weeks, I interned at The Agency. I attended the Broome County Economic Forecast event, sat in on meetings with local entrepreneurs, and met with employees to gain a better understanding of the work they do at The Agency. I learned a lot about the heavy workload required to promote economic development within the area. For example, their BR + E, PILOT, and Workforce Development programs are just a few examples of the assistance they offer. They also focus on highlighting the beauty of Broome County through their Broome is Good campaign. Broome County has a lot to offer from local restaurants to historic landmarks, and The Agency works to remind people of its charm. However, my favorite lesson was seeing how their success is a direct result of the people and environment. At The Agency, a strong sense of camaraderie runs throughout the building. They celebrate collaboration and deter any competition. During tedious meetings, they always managed to mix in laughs and nostalgic stories. Every employee is truly passionate about their work, and to a young student trying to find some sense of direction, it was encouraging to see so many diverse people come together to build something they are proud of. Overall, shadowing at The Agency for the past month is an experience I will forever be grateful for. Not only did they show me how they plan to enhance Broome County, but they took the time to welcome me into the family. Moving forward, I will remember the work ethic and optimism of every member at The Agency, and I will apply it to my future endeavors. I would like to thank everyone at The Agency for gifting me with such an unforgettable and rewarding experience!