This semester I obtained a self-secured internship with our very own Wilson Advising Center for the College of Liberal Arts. As a current student worker at the WAC, it was a smooth transition to securing an intern position. I learned valuable skills that I can not only apply to my current receptionist position, but also my future career as I graduate and move onto my Masters in Couple and Family therapy. These skills include proactive listening and empathetic communication, time management (being punctually present for appointments), and data entry completion (creating documentation through files and note taking). Additionally, my developed skills are crucial within the therapy realm and I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to be in a counseling related environment, networking with individuals who have a heart for service!
Furthermore, I recommend students to intern in academic advising centers and other student enrichment spaces to become immersed in the administrative components of higher education. These experiences have benefited me greatly in understanding the ins and outs of how our institution is maintained and how I can use the knowledge gained to take charge of my own education. Overall, my experience as an academic advising intern has allowed me to cultivate awareness of all the work academic advisors do (which is a lot, but many students are unfamiliar with that).
Lastly, if I were to give a piece of advice for incoming interns, I would say to ask as many questions as you can! Sometimes we may get carried away digesting all the new and exciting information that we are being taught, that we may forget or feel hesitant to ask questions.
This is a learning opportunity just as much as it is an employment opportunity. Embrace your learning experience and have fun!
I love that the WAC was so welcoming, especially as a liberal arts major. You share some strong feelings that I feel about my internship, especially as far as how much experience it gives me for the fields I help to walk into one day. I think all the campus offices that opened their doors to us just show how much these departments care about students and acknowledge how important we are. And yes on telling interns to ask questions! There is no such thing as too many!!!