I have learned that I held many more biases than I was previously aware of. While this is hard to admit, I think it will help me in the future when I work with children with ADHD, or people in depressed socioeconomic communities again. I learned how to keep an open mind about the population I was serving, and not assume things about the children from observing their parents.
Student- practicum 2010
Head Start
I definitely had to push myself past comfort zones and combat shyness. I had a hard time doing one-on-ones at first because I was always unsure what to say and do around the residents. This experience has opened my eyes to new career opportunities and interests.
Student- practicum 2010
Presbyterian Home at Hawfields (Elderly)
I think one of the things that became most evident to me during my time at my agency is that I have a real passion for working directly with people, and more specifically children. Working with these students allowed me to see my weaknesses and to work on them. I never considered working with special needs children as a potential career but I have been forced to rethink my professional ambitions.
Student- practicum 2010
Gateway Education Center
Through this practicum, I have learned that while academic knowledge is important, so is in-depth field experience, which builds empathy and insight in a way that classroom experience can’t do. As I worked to identify with and serve people who are very different from me, I gained empathy for all types of people that is based on shared experiences.
Student- practicum 2010
Middle School
I was exposed to clientele representing many different cultures and presenting a range of personalities. I had to quickly learn how to remain objective and obtain their individual perspectives while being genuinely empathetic. I learned that Human Services is not just a field for fixing and that you must look past the surface and understand the reality of the clients you work with in order to help them, not by doing them favors, but by providing them with resources and skills so they may help themselves.
Student- summer practicum 2010
Dispute Settlement
I learned that being a human service student is more than just about helping. You must know the politics surrounding issues and you must network and learn to navigate the community system to provide effective services. In addition, I learned where my passion for helping troubled kids came from as well as my limits of how far to go to help. I have learned a lot about myself and different aspects of the field that I never thought of.
Student- summer practicum 2010
Gang Prevention
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