Hi, my name is Mary Miller, and I completed my internship at the UNLV Disability Resource Center (DRC). My internship at the DRC has been one of my favorite and best experiences in my entire time on campus. It has benefited me so much, from my personal to professional life. I was able to apply my academic knowledge in a professional setting and gain newfound confidence in myself. Working with such a dynamic, collaborative, and inclusive team was priceless and promoted the development of my interpersonal skills and allowed me to establish key professional relationships. My internship primarily involves me working at the front desk, although I could help the other departments in the building, such as testing and alternative media. At the front desk, I answered phone calls, scheduling appointments, helped students, and directed people.
My major is psychology, with a minor in couples and family therapy and criminal justice. My internship ties into my major because it relates to psychology because it works with people with disabilities, which my major classes have previously talked about. The DRC helps individuals cope and manage the associated challenges they may have with their disabilities in college. In many psychology and couples/family therapy classes, I have learned how better to help people and myself with anything in their lives. The DRC can focus on how to help people mentally and with whatever they have going on in their life, just like the focus on my major.
I believe a background education in psychology and sociology would be best to benefit from this internship the most because you are interested in many people daily. Having an understanding of the different disabilities that the students in the office could have is a benefit to help them find the right paperwork and to understand better how to help them. I don't think it is mandatory because much of the needed information can be learned. However, having great communication skills, multitasking, and self-managing would be very beneficial.
I am interested in this particular position, working as a disability specialist after completing my internship, because I would positively impact people's lives, and every day would be different. Ever since I was young, I have wanted to help people positively in any way possible. This career would help me fulfill that dream in a setting I enjoy because I work with college students. I could grow my communication skills, build professional relationships, network, and form lasting friendships. Seeing students' progress improve from the start to the end of their college career will make me happy, and I know I am doing a good thing. Also, I would be proud of my work, knowing that I am in the right career. This career made me realize that I like working with many people, meeting new people, helping young adults, and being in a positive work environment.
I currently work as a front desk worker but to be a worker at this job; you need at least a bachelor's degree in any subject. To work as a disability specialist at the DRC, I think having a psychology or sociology degree would be better recommended because you would better understand how people are. Especially psychology, to have a deeper foundation of all the disabilities you would be working with and talking about daily. This could allow someone and me to know what to expect. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills would be most important when working with people from all over the world with many disabilities, genders, races, and nationalities. This would help to effectively communicate with people and help them manage/cope with whatever is happening. The ability to comprehend what others are saying would also help understand what paperwork the students need to complete and how our office can potentially help them during the school year in their classes.
One piece of advice I would give incoming interns is always given 100% at your internship site because you never know when it can turn into something more, and they want to keep you for longer. It could become more by becoming a paid part-time job after the internship or even a full-time position after graduation. Being able to become a paid job after the internship is over is about being able to make connections and network because you are doing a great job.
Couldn't agree more, great advice! To always give 100% and see what comes from it. So proud of your hard work this semester and excited to see you hopefully in a fulltime role within the DRC soon!
Hi Mary, I'm glad you had a great experience interning at the DRC. It's wonderful that you got to work in a position that involves something you are passionate about, which is helping others. I love how your internship serves those with disabilities in college because I think it is important that everyone has an equal opportunity to learn and have all the tools necessary to do so. I enjoyed the advice you gave because I think it is relevant to everyone, so thank you. It was great getting to meet you this semester! I wish you the best in all of your future endeavors!