As some of you are still going through the process of finding a placement and there are others of you who have been placed, please reflect on the process so far in preparing for the WLE by addressing the following prompts in a 2 page (double-spaced) reflection. Please write your reflection in a Word Document, saving it under a filename on the server, such as "lucaswadewle.doc".
What has been difficult? What has surprised you? What have you learned?
What are you excited for? What are you most uncertain of right now?
What advice would you give to the 11th grade students next year?
What do you hope to learn from your internship?
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The most difficult process trying to find an internship is waiting for the reply of the contact person through e-mail because not only you e-mail the business places, but a lot of other clients e-mail them about the businesses' work. Calling the contact person is not much helpful sometimes too because a lot of the times you would have to leave a message and you'll have to wait until the person call you about the possible placement in their work. What has surprised me is that the business place doesn't respond to you that fast over e-mail, but if you call them then you'll get a better chance in speaking with the business place about what you're trying to do. I learned that the phone script was really helpful and that whatever you want to do, there's a possible placement for you out there. =]
I'm pretty excited about the workplace learning experience internship because I want more experience in what I want to do when I grow up and I want to learn more about teaching younger children in elementary school.
For the 11th graders next year, I want to say:
- good luck in finding an internship
- whatever you want to do, there is a possible internship for you somewhere out there
- if you're e-mailing the business place, don't because it's better to call
- have fun at your workplace learning experience internship
I don't need to do anything else to shadow on the 31st of January. I am all set!
I feel I already did this blog but it doesn’t hurt to always follow these set of questions. So yeah I had a very hard time finding a placement but now that I have one I can reflect on what I experience “my first day on the job” sorry about the old cliché I just thinks in these set of terms it really fits my situation. So I am going to live on that. LOL. So yeah my first day came and went and I experienced a whole lot in just 7 hours of hard work.
Now my usual time for work we are required to start at ten but my first day we had a huge staff meeting which required us to be there at nine thirty in the morning. So when I got there I was introduced to the educators, administration, and the rest of the staff of Zeum. So in the meeting I saw plans on how Zeum wanted to make improvements through out San Francisco with the youth. Zeum already started after school programs which I felt was really cool. After the meeting the other interns and I had to attend an Intern Orientation which included interns Aaron Alvarez, Michael Kearny, and Brett Moran.
After a long a half a day of meetings we were given our half an hour lunch break. Since my internship is inside Yurba Buena it is a pretty nice place to sit down and in joy a nice brown bagged lunch containing a Roast Beef on toasted white, BBQ Potato chips, an Ice-Tea and a chocolate chip cookie. After lunch the interns and I were working in the supplies where we cut the play-dough for animation. After this task was completed we were given a scavenger hunt which I was extremely happy about. The list was given to us in riddle form.
The List (what we found)
- A Team Name
- A map from the California Academy of Science “Ironic because I wanted to be place there”
- A straw from Starbucks
- Sand from a park
After Team F-50 “the interns” concluded our quest we were given one last job. We learned and performed the task of cutting of fifty of fabric in 8 colors to fill up the last of supplies. This part of the day took about forty-five minutes. Since the intern’s task was done ahead of time we finished up so left over paper work. John Hancock here, initial hear, credit card number here….jk. So I am happy to say that my first day on the job was a giant success and hoping to keep a good work environment.
Journal Entry #2
Once again, I don’t think that my WLE experience has been difficult thus far. I had a really spot of luck with my mom’s boss, which is how I was able to secure a WLE spot so easily and quickly. The most stressful (which still wasn’t all to stressful, in all honesty) part of finding my WLE was actually making sure my WLE internship met all of the requirements of the school. I was actually surprised by how compatible my internship opportunity was with the WLE requirements, due to the school being very accommodating and reasonable with placement. I didn’t have to stress so much once I found out that my internship was compatible, which was nice, and I could focus on my school work more, and get all of the stuff from my other classes out of the way. I have learned that you need a very involved and helpful advisor or luck to get a WLE within the strict time constraints placed on us. Thankfully, I was lucky in not having to look around for my WLE in places I wouldn’t want to intern at, such as the standard stuff like the Zoo, Zeum, or Exploratorium.
I’m excited about the things I could learn at my internship, but aside from that I’d be lying if I said I was excited. We have even more work to do now than previously, and the WLE isn’t helping that work go smoother at all. But, I guess it’s better than having a full day on Wednesday, with all of our classes and more homework. But it doesn’t help much when you come home dead tired on Wednesday, barely able to do anything but sleep. The workload though, is immense, and some of the teachers don’t seem to care at all, and some are even doing what they can to make life harder for the students, it seems. Now, I’m not saying that I, as a CAT student, can’t handle the work, but at some point it goes from being a lot of work to an unmanageable amount of work that just makes students frustrated.
I really have nothing new to say as far as advice for the future 11th graders goes. They should try to get an easy WLE that you will enjoy, because the amount of work you’ll have from the teachers in 11th grade is almost ridiculous, and you will have an insanely difficult time working in a WLE that you do not like, and then getting up for school the day after. I’m doing one that I actually enjoy, to an extent, and I still came home exhausted and absolutely not looking forward to the next day. I’m lucky in that I had nothing else to do for my job shadow day before I went in for my first day of working/intern-shipping, short of filling out the shadow form, and getting signatures for my sheets that are required for my release from school on Wednesdays. In all honesty, I’m surprised at how well everything worked out, even though we were only given something like a month’s notice before we had to start looking for and finding an internship that would take us and communicate with the school about our progress throughout the 10 weeks we are required to intern for.
I’m interning at a law firm, and the law firm mostly deals with things like civil cases. I’m hoping to learn a lot about the processes involved in getting through a case, what steps need to be taken, and what general laws there are concerning lawsuits over pretty common every day things such as bankruptcies, worker’s comp, etc… I’m hoping to use the knowledge I gain from this to help my community and friends through informing them of their rights, and through telling them how these cases work so should they unfortunately end up in these situations, they have a general idea of what the situation they’re in will look like and how it will proceed. All in all, I hope to learn a lot from this internship, and I look forward to working with my mentor to fulfill all of my Workplace Learning Experience and personal goals.
The most difficult process was trying to find an internship suitable for me. I tried to look for different varieties and places on the internet, but they were either for college students or they didn't accept interns at all. I was surprised when I wrote my phone script because it was actually harder than I thought, and I had to say professional things to the person who answers the phone. During the past couple weeks; I have learned how to look for a job and how to get what I want out of it. I am very excited to work with the kids and learning how to communicate with them, and using that experience for future reference. I'm also very excited for them to catch onto the good things I teach them, for example respect. One thing I am uncertain about is whether or not I am capable of handling the responsibilities that come with the internship, such as continuing to be that mentor for the children. If I could give advice to the 11th graders for next year, I would encourage them to look for more than one internship and look for it ahead of time. Don't focus on one subject, but widen your range and see what else is out there for you. I am concerned about the dress code, though. I don’t know whether I should stick to everyday, casual clothes or if I need to dress a little more properly. Even though I know I shouldn’t wear inappropriate clothes (such as the “Snowman” or tagged clothes”) I don’t want to make it a tense environment. I want the kids to be comfortable with me and being around me, so that they get a better learning experience.
I had my work place shadow on January 31, 2007. I was first given a tour of the area and I met many people who worked at the office. I was given a tour of both the 2nd and 3rd floors. Since it was the first time I’ve been at the District Attorney’s office, my mentor didn’t expect me to remember everything that was shown to me, so I didn’t have to worry much. After getting the tour I was introduced to some of the jobs I had to do in the office. I had to file folders into cabinets and I was taught how to file bench warrants. I made copies of documents and learned how to do calendars.
The difficult thing was filing the folders back into the cabinets. It was difficult because the cabinets were about full and the folders were really tight so I had to stuff them in. I’m surprised at how many court cases happen everyday and how hard filing can be at times. I’ve learned how to file in the cabinets differently because they aren’t in alphabetical order. The files are filed by dates not alphabetically. I’ve learned how to do calendars. Calendars are to help and prepare the attorney’s for the next day’s court case. I had to find folders from the cabinets and mark them off on a list. The calendars are an important job and it has to be done properly in order to help the attorney.
I am excited for learning more about what there is to do at an attorney’s office and what jobs I can do. I am most uncertain of the duties that I will be in charge of every time I go to the internship. But I know that will be resolved after I get use to the place. I am also uncertain of the project I can do with working at my internship for the exhibition.
Some advice that I will give the 11th graders next year are that the first days of the internship can be tough, but later on you will get use to it. It’s always good to learn new skills or build on old ones. As you become familiar with your internship place you will probably know what jobs and tasks you have to do. Also ask your mentor questions if you don’t understand something. Your mentor will always try to help you. It will benefit you for a better work place learning.
I hope that I can learn more about what other things attorneys have to do to prepare for a case. I want to learn more about vocabulary terms and task that attorney’s do.
The most difficult thing for me has been making my way over to watch procedures. It’s not because I can’t stand to see it, it is just that I get worried that if I leave my department I will miss something or I might be needed. Plus I don’t want to get in anybodies way. But my mentor tells me that I’m not in the way and to feel free to check out the lad if the nurses don’t need me. So I’ll just have to get use to being apart of the team. Uhh I was surprised when I found KC talking to Alison (manager of volunteer department) asking her all sorts of question, man it was just weird. But I guess it was good because he was able to explain the WLE program better than I could. He also informed her about our project that is due at the end of WLE. (Thanks KC). I have learned that I need to speak up for things I want to do in the department that I work in. Or I’ll never get the full experience in being an intern. Don’t be shy even though they are experts at what they do just simply ask them to explain, an they’ll be happy to.
I’m excited working in the dietary lab, because I want to learn exactly what they’re all about. What will my duties be? And is the hospital food really as bas as people say it is? I’m just excited to learn everything I can on the food the hospital serves. I am uncertain about meeting the hour constraints. I want to be finished by June but the WLE ends in May so I don’t know if I am going too finished with 70 or so hours! I’m a little on edge because of it and I hope they change it are to fit the students and THEIR needs!
Future 11th graders I just want to say stick with your WLE it will really be rewarding in the end. I’m learning so much at the hospital I’m interning at. This project can really define your individual personality. I can help you see thing within yourself that you may have never thought existed. It’s going to be hard I guarantee you it will, but it will also share fun exciting moments with the people you work with. Choose your internships wisely, because you’re going to need something that interests you for 5 months. Don’t play around take the job seriously, and don’t get FIRED!
I hope to learn everything that I can when it comes to medicine and surgical procedures. The body it self fascinates me. Our bodies are really important, and maintain a healthy life can only increase your life span. I want to learn about the more common viruses or diseases that effect today’s society and how I can help and other prevent these types of viruses and diseases. Also want to give advice on good/healthy foods that bodies need to continue staying healthy. I just want to learn everything I can though this project.
Peace Out, Mizz Snoopy
Even though origionally I thought it was going to be impossible to find an internship, it turned out to be quite simple. I actually had a choice as to what I would want to after going through the process with a few potential workplaces. At first I was considering working at the Exploratorium, because they have lots of diffrent positions and it would allow me to work with kids and teaching them. But as I did more reasearch for other places I could work I learned about Marc Simon photography studio from the list of places that said they needed an intern.
I had already left a message with the lady at the Exploratorium who is in charge of the internship program. I didn't recieve a response from her until a while later, so I decided it would be a good idea to get a back up with the photography studio. I called in and Marc picked up the phone right away. We talked a bit about the program and set up an interview at his office. I didn't know it would be so easy.
After conducting the interview, I felt that this would be my ideal place to work since I would get to work a lot with photography. That same day however I recieved a phone call from the lady from the Exploratorium saying that there were positions available, and that if I sent in an application via online she could find something that suited me.
In the end I ended up deciding to work with Marc at his photography studio. I learned a lot about applying for internships, and how it is similar to applying for a job. For future 11th graders who are looking for an internship, my advice is pick something you love to do, and then reasearch and go for what you want. A lot of places can use the extra help, and some places like the Exploratorium have a program that's designed for internships.
After attending the Marine Mammal Center for 2 weeks, I think I understand the jist of how things work. So far I have been boarding the Elephant Seals and I got the chance to dump a bucket of fish in the Fur Seal pool. I really like the Fur Seals. They all swim together and tare the heads off the fish when they eat them by throwing the fish across the pool. A few difficulties I have had so far is understanding everything the charts mean when we weigh out the feeds and just remembering every ones name. It surprised me when I first saw how to restrain and tube feed a Elephant Seal. We restrain them by wrapping a wet towel over there head and then get on top of them and hold their heads down. So far I have learned how to board the Elephant Seals and Fur Seals, and I learned how to weigh out the fish and dump them into the different pools. I also understand the basics on how everything is run and what I should and shouldn’t be doing. I am excited to learn how to restrain and tube feed. That is how you really get up close and personal with the animal. How often do you get a chance to hold down an Elephant Seal? I am a little uncertain about the tube feeding right now though. Michele told me that if you don’t stick the tube down far enough, the food will go into the Seals lungs and kill it. That worries me. Once I am comfortable restraining I think I will move on to the tube feeds. I am hoping Michele will let me try next week. I don’t want to ask about jumping into something they don’t think I’m ready for. Steve told me that it takes something like 30 hours before you can go into the Elephant Seal pens, and 70 hours before going into the Sea Lion pens. Luckily Michele trusts me enough to let me board off the Elephant Seals.
I already explained my process in getting into the Marine Mammal Center and I gave my advice about getting an internship to any 11th graders next year. The advice I would give to someone going into the MMC is to be careful and only do what you’re told to do. Just be patient; once you get more experience you will be able to do more things. It takes time and practice to learn everything that goes on around here. In my future at the Marine Mammal Center, I hope to learn everything I can and be a fully qualified volunteer who everyone can trust to do things on my own.
The most difficult thing was first finding my internship because IO hadnt decided what i wanted to do right away it took me alot longer than the other kids and KC thought that i was never going to get one then i almost decided to just give up and fail and that would not have been good at all. So then i finally thought oh wait i should do my old elementary school and because there were people still there that knew and remembered me i got in as soon as i called to come in and have an interview. So it all worked out just perfect and just in time. Another difficult thing for me would have to be stepping out of ma childish stage to act like a young adult and to help teach these kids something wether its about math, history, handling conflicts, etc. I had to act like the big brother to a whole bunch of students and i had to teach some of the students different things that would help them succeed in life and helping them make wise choices so that they wouldnt make some of the mistakes like what i have been doing for a while.
Whats surprised me is that the kids actually listen listen to me when they dont listen to there teachers and its also been kind of funny because when i hear from different people and teachers there at the school that i interact with kids great and that i have great bonds with the kids that gives me a great feeling inside, a feeling of accomplishment and i actually sometimes pull myself to the side and say wow, look how i handled that situation.
In all this teaching and helping and dealing with different conflicts i have learned that it takes time and effort to educate younger children and if you dont put the time or the effort into it then you might as well stop while your ahead because there will be no real point to it.
Im actually not really excited as much i guess i can say that im excited that im going to teach the children a math assignment and im kind of uncertain as to what exactly im going to teach them!!!! The advice that i would give an 11th grader next year would have to be make sure that wen your picking ur WLE work place that you chose wisely and make sure that its something that u really want to do and make sure that you do all your work and no slacking because slacking is only going to cause trouble!!! more and more, deeper and deeper trouble. What i hope to learn from my internship is how to be a better person and how to interact and work with children better than i do. I hope that tis internship teaches me how to work collaboratively with others. I want this intership to show me the skills i already have and how i can make them better.
The most difficult thing was first finding my internship because IO hadnt decided what i wanted to do right away it took me alot longer than the other kids and KC thought that i was never going to get one then i almost decided to just give up and fail and that would not have been good at all. So then i finally thought oh wait i should do my old elementary school and because there were people still there that knew and remembered me i got in as soon as i called to come in and have an interview. So it all worked out just perfect and just in time. Another difficult thing for me would have to be stepping out of ma childish stage to act like a young adult and to help teach these kids something wether its about math, history, handling conflicts, etc. I had to act like the big brother to a whole bunch of students and i had to teach some of the students different things that would help them succeed in life and helping them make wise choices so that they wouldnt make some of the mistakes like what i have been doing for a while. Whats surprised me is that the kids actually listen listen to me when they dont listen to there teachers and its also been kind of funny because when i hear from different people and teachers there at the school that i interact with kids great and that i have great bonds with the kids that gives me a great feeling inside, a feeling of accomplishment and i actually sometimes pull myself to the side and say wow, look how i handled that situation. In all this teaching and helping and dealing with different conflicts i have learned that it takes time and effort to educate younger children and if you dont put the time or the effort into it then you might as well stop while your ahead because there will be no real point to it. Im actually not really excited as much i guess i can say that im excited that im going to teach the children a math assignment and im kind of uncertain as to what exactly im going to teach them!!!! The advice that i would give an 11th grader next year would have to be make sure that wen your picking ur WLE work place that you chose wisely and make sure that its something that u really want to do and make sure that you do all your work and no slacking because slacking is only going to cause trouble!!! more and more, deeper and deeper trouble. What i hope to learn from my internship is how to be a better person and how to interact and work with children better than i do. I hope that tis internship teaches me how to work collaboratively with others. I want this intership to show me the skills i already have and how i can make them better.
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