Just over six months ago, I was preparing myself for my first full-time gig. Bright-eyed and filled with post-college enthusiasm, I was ready to hit the ground running. The new laptop bag was ordered, the notebook and pens put in place. I was one day and one blazer away from being one of the cool kids.

Just over six months ago, I began my internship at Fast Horse. With a background in public relations, I knew the basics of press releases and email etiquette. From past internships, I knew the basics of deadlines and progress reports. From a collection of interviews, I knew how to be both polite and conversational.

But what I didn’t know – that was just to come.

In six months, I learned how to solve problems I never knew existed. I learned how to research topics I had never heard of before, and I learned how to manage my time in a refined way. And the best part is, I’m still learning. Every day, I’m tasked to figure out something new. From writing to researching to putting my marketing mind to the test in brainstorms, I am continually challenged to think in new ways.

In six months, I worked some early mornings and some late nights. In six months, I got some great feedback and experienced some learning curves. And in six months, I turned colleagues into friends.

Those six months are over, but my time at Fast Horse is not. With a heart full of gratitude and a mind racked with determination, I look forward to a future at a company that both inspires and challenges me, a future of creative projects that haven’t even been thought of yet. I know I’ll continue to learn. I know I’ll experience some bumps along the way. But I’m prepared, and I’m excited.

As the new year rears its ugly beautiful head, I’m reminded of all the things 2015 gave me. A college degree, a new sense of self, a place to call my own and a wonderful new job. If you had asked me a year ago where I saw myself today, I would have only dreamed of starting a career at Fast Horse. Now, here I am to stay.

Who’s to say what 2016 will bring? For now, I’ll sit back and enjoy the ride.