Spring 2007

I am required to do a 480 hour internship which is equivalent to 32 hours a week for 15 weeks. My internship sites were Saint Francis University’s Admissions Office, Penn State Altoona’s Financial Aid Office, and Penn State Altoona’s Career Services Office.

At the Admissions Office at Saint Francis University, I learned about different types of high school courses that met University Admissions requirements. I attended an American Education Services Default conference to gain a better understanding of loan default and forbearance. I went on the internet and downloaded position descriptions to analyze skills and qualifications listed on Financial Aid Counselor position openings. Each job description I reviewed needed experience with Title IX and PHEEA. I plan to attend conferences, workshops, and information sessions to become proficient in these areas.

At the Financial Aid Office at Penn State Altoona, I became familiar with financial aid codes and how to use the software system. I spoke with parents and students as well as responded to financial aid questions. I am working on a reference guide for the Financial Aid staff using financial codes.

At Penn Sate Altoona’s Career Services Office, I became familiar with assessment instruments such as eDiscover, SKILLSKAN, and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. These inventories assess clients’ interests, abilities, values, skills, and personality style. Once I obtain a Masters degree in Counseling, then I would use these inventories when working with clients during career counseling appointments. I attended and observed Counselor Education (CNED 100) classes. These classes allowed me to better understand how to teach students career decision making skills by examining themselves, the world of work, and decision making styles and strategies. I attended a Students with Disabilities workshop that provided information on accommodating students with disabilities. I presented a resume writing PowerPoint presentation to 7 classes and connected with 160 students to educate them on resume writing, references, and cover letters. I attended a WestPACS job fair and had the opportunity to do employer development. This event was a great opportunity for me to network with employers and educate them on services and resources available to them at Penn State Altoona’s Career Services Office. I also obtained job leads at the job fair too.

Through my internship experiences, I have gained transferable skills for employment purposes as well as experience to showcase future graduate schools. I will continue to develop my skills in public speaking, marketing, etc. while continuing my internship experiences. I want to demonstrate that I am a hard worker and would be a great asset to a future employer in higher education.

As I reflect now on my decision to pursue 3 different types of internships in one semester, I realize that this has been extremely beneficial to me. I gained exposure to the Student Affairs profession through Admissions, Financial Aid and Career Services. I am currently applying to Student Affair positions such as a Financial Aid Counselor, Admissions Counselor, and Residence Life Counselor. I will be able to showcase various transferable skills to these potential employers that I have acquired through my internship experiences.

On a personal note, I have been able to use the skills I’ve acquired at Career Services to help my brother critique his resume for potential internship positions. I have regularly connected with a Career Services counselor to update my resume, provide cover letter suggestions, review my references, and provide job search strategies as I conduct my search for full-time employment.

In conclusion, I highly recommend gaining experience during your college career by getting at least two internship experiences. It is important to connect with Tom Shaffer, Academic Internship Coordinator and a faculty sponsor at least 6 months prior to when you would like to actually go out and do the internship experience. Internships look great on a resume, showcases your skills, verify your career goals, and provide examples of your work experience to a future employer. Stop in at the Career Services Office for an appointment soon to update your resume, participate in a mock interview, discuss job search strategies, and utilize other career planning resources that will assist you in finding a job that best suits your skills, experience, and passion.

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