This summer I interned at HOPE For Prisoners. HOPE is a nonprofit organization based in Las Vegas. It is a reentry program that helps formerly incarcerated people rehabilitate back into society. I served as a Program Intern. I spent my time there working in the front desk and partially shadowing a case manager.
This internship helped benefit my future career by teaching me how to file intake paperwork and assort documents. I learned skills that will carry into my professional endeavors, such as how to manage and organize office files and ensure that all documents are easily accessible. My internship tied into the social work aspect of my major. I am a senior at UNLV majoring in psychology with a minor in neuroscience. I was able to see first hand the process of people exiting prisons and how they apply to programs to reenter society. I learned about how social work is completed and varying programs offered in southern Nevada.
I think the biggest requirement prior to entering this internship was knowing how to be kind even when you are not reciprocated that kindness. I often dealt with people who had just been released from decades served and were walking back into a world that they no longer knew. The experience completely humbled me. I realized that words are often surface level and maintaining professionalism and empathy was the biggest key in succeeding.
After completing my internship, I am certain that I do not want to work in social work. Although it is rewarding, I have realized I do not have the drive necessary to succeed in this field. The work is demanding and the pay is often not compensatory. I applaud those who go into this profession because they are truly making a difference. It requires great empathy and patience to maintain a full-time position. You need experience working with others and understanding basic programs and systems to maintain organized paperwork.
I would suggest to any incoming interns to always walk in with an open mind and not set any expectations for anyone or anything. You may be surprised by who you meet and who they are. People are not always as they seem.
Hi Marissa,
Thank you for sharing your experience with your internship! I imagined myself in your shoes and lived throughout your reflection post. I appreciate that you said that your internship humbled you as it also humbled me as well. I am happy for you that you came to a realization of what career you would like to take on. I am sure that in any step towards the direction you decide to choose to take on for your future beginning you will do great with the experience you have endured.
Thank you for sharing your detailed experience at HOPE For Prisoners. Your reflections provide valuable insight into the realities of social work and the reentry process for formerly incarcerated individuals. Your ability to manage intake paperwork and organize office files demonstrates important administrative skills that will undoubtedly benefit your future career. It's amazing that you were able to observe the social work aspect of your major and witness firsthand the challenges and successes of reentry programs in southern Nevada.
Hi Marissa,
What an impactful and enlightening internship experience you had at HOPE For Prisoners!
I genuinely appreciate your candid reflection on discovering that social work isn't your preferred career path. The field indeed demands a special kind of resilience, empathy, and dedication. Your ability to navigate the challenges with professionalism and empathy is truly commendable.
Your reflection on maintaining an open mind and setting aside expectations is insightful and resonates deeply. It’s a philosophy that not only applies to internships but also to many facets of life. Embracing this mindset can help navigate uncertainties and lead to meaningful experiences and success.
Thank you for sharing your journey and insights. Your dedication and thoughtful approach to this experience surely made a difference in the lives of those you interacted with at HOPE For Prisoners.