Above is my end of internship selfie. I chose this picture and the word "successful" because I feel that sums up my whole experience. In this selfie I am with 34 other attendees at the Girl World Training I planned and organized during my internship. Throughout my time at BOOST my mentor stressed to always make a difference in everything you do. That is something I have always wanted to accomplish and she reminded me it can be possible in anything I do which has been my biggest take away. Tia, my mentor has a passion for what she does which I hope to someday carry through my career.
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Before internship started I had some general thoughts or goals for what I wanted to get out of this experience. Some of them being to explore marketing and event planning, attend staff meetings, conferences, events, meet professionals to network and experience what it feels like to have a job in a professional workplace. I have been able to achieve all my goals and complete new ones I didn't even know I had. I feel like everybody who works with this organization makes a difference but the main contributions I made to BOOST Collaborative are sending out over 165 emails to supporters asking for prizes for the social media contests and planning everything for the Girl World Training. Through this internship I have learned so much and have made great connections with the team. I have learned how it feels to be in a professional, hard working, productive workplace. I have been shown and have created meaningful work in the real world and was really inspired by my mentor to not make excuses and just do it! One great thing I figured out for myself is that I really enjoy public outreach and event planning. Planning an event or having a leadership role in any project can be stressful at times but working on something that has a final product is so rewarding for me because there is something to always look forward to. The biggest take away I have from my internship with BOOST is to always make a difference in anything you do, no matter what.
BOOST Collaborative has given me a lot of freedom to do tasks I enjoy while still completing meaningful work. Anytime I ask for extra work or have questions the team is available to help me with what I need. Along with being a self-advocate, I have also been an advocate for BOOST Collaborative. When I attended the Women In Prevention Conference there were many attendees who had never heard of BOOST which is where my elevator pitch I had been practicing came in handy. Even outside of internship I get many questions about BOOST Collaborative which gives me the opportunity to be a strong advocate. I enjoy talking about the organization and the work I have been doing to help support BOOST.
After only two weeks of internship I have already learned so much about the workplace and about myself. I have always enjoyed planning events or the project lead title which I have been able to take on during my internship. I have had a good time hearing about and attending a conference for educators. Networking with people is a fun experience which I plan to keep doing the rest of my life. I could see myself doing something along the lines of what I'm doing at my internship but with more face to face interactions and not as much office time. Although I have my mind set on going to college for nursing, marketing and communications would be my second option. My internship has deepened my knowledge in this field and has kept my interest in it strong.
For my internship project I am organizing an all day training for professionals where they will explore multiple factors contributing to girls' development. Issues such as self-injury, bullying/relational aggression, self-esteem and body image will be explored in detail. Hands-on activities to engage girls in the classroom and after-school programs will be reviewed and practiced. Attendees will increase their knowledge of risk and protective factors, gain an understanding of critical issues impacting girls' development, learn key strategies to effectively connect and engage girls in positive decision-making, learn of research-based strategies and activities to implement in and out of school settings and more. I have been working to make sure the day runs smoothly. I created a step-by-step project plan in order to keep track of all the tasks that need to be completed and by what date. I am completing tasks such as ordering the boxed lunches, confirming with the venue, calling the trainer to get any handouts ready and so much more. I am assigning positions for the day of the event to my team and looking to them for any help I might need. I am looking forward to June 5th, 2015, the day of the event to see how it all turns out. Along with working on this event I am doing other smaller projects including planning BOOST's first ever What's Your Story Video contest that will launch in September and helping establish and coordinate Get Trashed San Diego's first event on June 13, 2015. I am thankful for the work I have been given because it has helped me grow and feel like a real employee.
Just one week in and I can already feel the impact this internship is making on me. I have been working productively on the laptop I was provided with doing all of my tasks including emailing organizations for social media prizes, planning the first ever BOOST video contest, making phone calls to conference exhibitors and more. By completing all of these assignments it has made me realize how well prepared High Tech has made me for the real world. I felt comfortable enough to talk to different professionals on the phone because I have had experience doing it through the school. I created an elevator pitch on what BOOST Collaborative is and what they do so I could better understand and talk about the company. During the first week we had 2 k-9 visitors and welcomed a finger monster to the team who keeps me company at my desk. Although I am so glad I chose to intern at BOOST, it comes with a 30 minute drive not including traffic. It hasn't been too bad yet going to and from the office and I hope it continues to stay that way. Overall my first week was a success.
Monday May 11, 2015 was my first day of internship and it was a great experience. I arrived early, without getting lost and met up with my team for tea. My workplace is fun and relaxed while very productive at the same time. It is an open environment so we are allowed to ask each other questions throughout the office. My colleagues are an awesome few. They welcomed me and made me feel like a part of the team. I feel comfortable enough to ask any questions that come up. I am amazed by the work I have already started doing and will continue doing. I am organizing and planning a training that BOOST is putting on for educators. I am doing tasks that people get paid to do so it is rewarding to be told you're doing a good job. I am excited to get to know and spend more time with the BOOST team. I have already met many new people and I look forward to meeting many many more within the next few weeks.
I have committed to interning with Boost Collaborative (Best Out Of School Time) in downtown San Diego. I am lucky enough to be able to work with the whole BOOST team. I will be overlooked by executive director Tia Quinn but working closely and shadowing Amber Whiteside. I will be exploring marketing and event planning through multiple projects. I will attend staff meetings, conferences/events and meet professionals to deepen my understanding and experience in these fields. I am looking forward to being in a professional workplace gaining experience in something that I am interested in. Meeting a variety of interesting individuals and expanding my network is also very exciting. Being months away, I am not too nervous about starting my internship. Having already been in the office, met the team and attended the TRUST conference with them, I already feel part of the family and I am ready to work with them full-time. |