Monday, October 13, 2014

My Workplace: An Outfit That Does Fit

Hard work always pays off, and exerting strenuous efforts always bears fruits. Given the considerable efforts I put into my internship search, I was lucky enough to find an amazing internship even sooner than I expected. My internship search could not have been any easier or faster. Currently, I am interning at the Eldercare Workforce Alliance in Washington, DC and the people there are very professional, helpful and amazing.
At the beginning, I was concerned about the nature of the internship and it may not be interesting or related to what I am studying. Yet, my professor advised me that there will be a lot of thing you can gain out of it. He always says, "The internship is what you make out of it." On the first day at the internship workplace, I was really delighted that the internship does relate to my studies and we will attend some hearings and be involved in politics in some way. Hopefully, they granted me a meager travel stipend, made me business cards, provided me with a separate office and bought a laptop in order for me to incur the burden of bringing mine. However, they are very serious and even gave me tasks to do from day one. I thought the first day is only a chance to meet and greet.
On the second day, we went for lunch together and showed me the whole place so that I can move around easily. They also asked me to have an internship that will have my name on, namely something that I can take for my potential employer. They are very cognizant of the fact that my studies take precedence over my internship and reiterated that several times. I also got to know staff members from the other organizations located in the same premises. In a nutshell, my internship has been a real success so far and every week I learn something new.
However, this success could not have been materialized without the receptive nature of people on campus. My academic advisor assisted me immensely especially in sorting out any issues as they arise. Actually, she spared no efforts to help me issue a work authorization and fill out the Experiential Learning Form (ELF). As for my professor, he was really helpful and patient with me. He was, and still is, in close touch to make sure I am on the right track in my internship search. The weekly meetings helped me catch up all what I have missed during the first two weeks of the semester. I am extremely appreciative of his valuable insights and feedback. My class mates are awesome and they are very supportive and friendly. When we share our experiences in class, I really get to know a lot of things and venues where I can intern for next spring semester.

Now I feel I am in a better position to find a good internship for my spring semester since I have the tools, documents and capabilities to embark on my early search for an internship in November. In short, I am well-equipped not only to secure an internship but to hunt a job as well.

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