BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF CHESTER

INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE

By

Casondra H. Jackson-Goldsborough

Getting Started as an Intern Both excited and nervous

Excited due to internship/course being the last requirement towards graduation

Excited because I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel

Excited because the internship is an opportunity for me to learn new skills and best practices to

improve current management skills

Nervous about achieving the goals outlined in my learning contract

Nervous how to effectively balance school, work and family expectations

Getting Acquainted Agency Context most Learned

Transition of the Boys and Girls Club of Chester

Program history, mission, staff, services, and funding sources

BGCC’s daily operations

BGCC demographics

Affiliate of National Boys And Girls Club of America

Intern view of agency context

BGCC is driven by National Boys and Girls Club of America goals and expectations

BGCC is guided by community identified need for afterschool programming for youth ages 6-18

Operates due to diverse funding ( i.e local, state, federal, and foundations)

Developing Ethical Competence No unethical dilemmas present during the internship

Unethical practices in Re-Entry system:

Education process

Employment opportunities

Community acceptance

Policy

Bring awareness to re-entry committee of unethical behavior

Advocate

Using Supervision

What I want and need in my supervisory relationship?

How have I handled responsibility?

What you need when entering your first supervisor job?

Trust

Responsibility

Opportunity to develop current management skills

Direction

Guidance/Support

Self-motivated

Independent

Task-oriented

Team-player

Asking for help when needed

Orientation

Clarification

Guidance and Support

Confirmation

Trainings/In-service

Risk taker

Good listener and communicator

SUPERVISION CHALLENGES

No supervision challenges faced as an Intern

Prior supervision challenges• Little to know direction or

support• Lack of communication• No opportunity to learn new skills

or techniques

How did you handle the challenges?• Self determination• Asked colleagues for support

and guidance• Schedule meeting with

supervisor

Learning to Learn from Experience (IPM)

Reflecting and Identifying Relevant Theory and Knowledge Reflecting stage forces me to review how I have handle a

situation and not allow my person views or opinions to cloud my ability to handle a situation ethically and objectively

Identifying Relevant Theory and Knowledge provides the resources, trainings and best practices used to effectively deal with our ever changing issues within the human service field

Openness to recognize your mistakes and build upon them Sharing internship experience with a new intern

Communicating with Clients Work experience

Chester Youth Collaborative Youth Council (1 ½ years)

Chester YouthBuild (17 years) Elwyn Institute (8 years)

Level of intervention most experience Equal opportunity to work with individuals, families,

groups and communities in all three places of employment

Intervention areas of most interest Individual and family

Level of intervention with the least experience Community (Funders)

Limited cultural difference experience in intern

Population servedAfrican American or HispanicPoor Social-Economic conditionsLimited employment opportunities High crime and school dropout rate

Challenges Limited knowledge, exposure, and experience with diverse

populations

GoalsAttend trainings and workshops to improve Cultural Diversity

awarenessVolunteer or attend Cultural Diversity events

Developing Cultural Competencies

Writing and Reporting Within Your Field Agency F:\Juvenile Re 3.docx

Overview was used as speaking point with Judges, Probation Officers, Director of Community Liaisons Community and Neighborhood Collaborative, Department of Public Affairs, Delaware County Probation and Courts, Widener Violence Prevention Coalition, and city of Chester Mayor John Linder

F:\probation_officer_questions.docx F:\Re-entry questions.pdf Questionnaires presented with Juvenile Re-Entry Project Overview

depending on the meeting audience

Strengths of my report is to provide an awareness and purpose for the Juvenile Re-Entry project

Weakness of written and oral reporting Lack of confidence in writing skills and delivery of oral presentation

Improvements and strategies towards goals Practice writing more reports Seek additional writing support Presnt one oral presentation a month

Taking Care of Yourself

What are my external and internal stressors?

External stressors Readjustment of internship hours due to

unexpected work obligations Reliance on others for data and resources to

complete intern task Balance of school, work and family obligations

Internal stressors Lack of sleep Feeling overwhelmed due to intern, class and

work responsibilities

Stress Management Rest and relaxation Improve time management skills Try not to take on more than I can handle

What do I most appreciate?

Field supervisor’s support, guidance, and confidence in my ability to endure and success

Network opportunities with Chester city officials, potential funders, and government agencies

Increase knowledge, appreciation and understanding for what is required to write a grant

A greater appreciation of the Executive Director role and responsibilities

Opportunity to impact Juvenile Re-Entry in the city of Chester

Regrets Scheduling practicum course during demanding work

schedule My feelings, wants and needs after the internship is to

continue learning and improving my administrative skills

Be open to new ideas, approaches and trends with in the human service field

Ending Your Internship

Long-term goal Currently undecided between upper or lower

management opportunities and level of involvement and commitment

Short-term goal Continue working in the human service field where

my passion for helping other and leadership skills can make a difference in someone’s life.

Five to ten years from now Maybe Executive Director of own Juvenile Re-Entry

program If not, still working in a organization helping others

Future Goals

Thank You537400070272975190.weebly.com