Internships: Guest Blogger

This is our guest blogger, Meaghan. She is a senior psychology major, with minors in gerontology and religious studies!

 

I like to plan things, especially when my future is involved. That is how I decided that I needed to complete an internship in the field I hope to pursue a career in. In the spring semester of 2013, I interned at Highland Hospital. My experiences at Highland working with the Hospital Elder Life Program greatly increased my patience, assisted my communication skills, and helped me have a better understanding of some dimensions of the human services field. Knowing how helpful my internship at Highland was for my personal development, I knew that completing another internship in my future career area would only help me. My name is Meaghan Kanaley and I am a senior psychology major, with minors in gerontology and religious studies.

Around the same time I was at Highland, I began to study and fall in love with the psychological field of behaviorism, specifically applied behavior analysis (ABA). ABA implements the principles of behaviorism and, as an area of study, greatly values accurate behavioral plans and data collection. It has been proven to be quite effective with individuals with intellectual disabilities. Because I wanted to make sure that I really wanted to be in this field, I knew that I had to do another internship working with a behaviorist and individuals with intellectual disabilities. After researching internship possibilities at local organizations, I decided to complete an internship at Ontario ARC, working with the applied behavioral specialist at one of their day habilitation programs.

While there is a wide range of abilities and diagnoses at Eberhardt, I have spent most of my time working with adults who have autism, various intellectual disabilities, obsessive compulsive disorder, and/ or anxiety. I have been able to work hands on with the program’s participants, assist the room staff, create communication board (a useful tool for some people who are nonverbal), analyze monthly behavior data, and attend various meetings and trainings. I have also reached many of my goals for the semester, including learning basic functional sign language (words like food, drink, walk, toilet, etc). Similarly to my first internship, I have seen my communication skills, as well as my teamworking and problem solving skills, change drastically for the better. I have also learned how to advocate for the participants I work with and myself. Unlike my first internship, I have found myself asking to gain more responsibilities and experience new things, which is an important skill when transitioning to the “real world.”

After having two amazing internships at Nazareth College, I cannot recommend this opportunity to other students enough! I personally feel that all Nazareth students should try to complete an internship during their undergraduate career. Because of the first hand knowledge I received at my internship, I was able to impress a future employer during an interview. I have since been offered and have accepted a position as an ABA Instructor. Although I cannot say that I got a job solely because of my internship, I do know that my internships have made me more confident about the next few years of my life. I know that I understand this field more now than I did at the beginning of the semester. I know that I am leaving Naz to pursue a career path that I am passionate about and hope to follow for years to come!

How I feel About Graduating...

When you realize you are done with school…possibly forever:

 

  

Then realizing that every “entry-level” job requires 3-5 years experience:

When your friends start telling you that they have a job:

When people ask you “So what are your plans after graduation?” and “Do you have a job yet?”:

When one more person tells you how horrible the job market is:

Every time you look at your resume:

When people ask how you are handling all of it:

And a little bit of:

But then realizing that Career Services is here to calm your anxieties...even after you graduate:

Attending a Job Fair

Job fairs can be scary at first walking into a room of people you don't know that could be potential employers, but with a few tips it'll be a breeze!

What should I bring?

• Resume 
• Pen
• Your Smile and Personality!

What should I expect?

Typically, numerous employers sign up to come to the job fair and set up a table to talk to students. In my experience the tables are numbered and maps are provided to help you navigate your way around the room to tables of interest. Upon arriving you should sign in at the desk out front where they will provide you with a name tag and map of the floor plan. After checking in you are free to wander and talk to potential employers!

The employers at the booths are friendly and there to talk to YOU! So you should talk with them about their facility, available jobs, what they look for in an employee, etc. You're goal is to be personable and charming while portraying some of your best qualities!

Tips for Success:

Dress for Success: You should be dressed in business casual, looking professional and serious about talking to employers!

Be Early: Arrive early in order to be fully prepared and insure that you aren't waiting in line after the fair opens!

Take Initiative: Be firm and persistent speaking to employers and shaking their hand first. Show interest and professionalism by inquiring about their organization!

Be Enthusiastic: Show excitement to be there! This is one of the main characteristics employers look for in potential candidates. Smile! :)

Ask Questions: Prepare questions that are important to you or some areas that you may have inquiries about. Engaging potential employers makes you more memorable and they become more interested in you!

Practice talking about yourself: Sometimes it is difficult to talk yourself up to other people. In this case you should practice a short spiel about yourself to tell the employers at the job fair. In a few sentences brainstorm ideas and talents you want to make known and practice discussing those topics.    
  

Follow some of these helpful tips, smile, be yourself, and relax! Job fairs seem scary but if you follow these tips you'll be prepared and ready to conquer any fair!

FAQ: How Do I Set Up A Credential File?

As we dive into the Spring Semester, a lot of my friends have become extremely focused on their classes and on their job search after graduation. Many of my friends know that I work in Career Services and they frequently ask about letters of recommendation. Their questions include: Do I send out those letters? Does your office hold them for me? Are they expensive? Can I pay with a credit card?

Let us put your mind at ease ... it's simple, painless, and will provide you with a stress-free semester (in regards to job applications). Follow the steps listed below to create your very own credential file!

STEP 1: Come visit our office! We're located in GAC 111 and will be able to hand you a registration packet when you ask to set up a credential file.  

STEP 2: Simply fill out the registration packet with your information and return it to our office at your earliest convenience. 

STEP 3: Pay a small fee of $10 for your credential file with either cash or a check made payable to Nazareth College Career Services.


*IMPORTANT: We can't set up your credential file unless you pay for it! If you don't have cash or a check with you when you come into the office, we will hold the registration materials for you until you come back with the required $10. 


"What if I can't come into the office?" No worries! Visit our website: http://www.naz.edu/career-services and click on the link labeled "Credential Files" on the right hand side of the screen. From there, click on the link labeled, "How do I register?" located in the middle of the screen. Download the registration form, print and fill out the required information, include $10 cash or by check, and send it to our office via snail mail! If you have any further questions about credential files, feel free to check out our previous blog posts or stop by the office and ask! 

New Year, New Location!

Nazareth College has been in the process of remodeling its campus, and curriculum, over the past year. Career Services happens to be a part of that change this school year! Our office used to be located in the Shults Center ... however, since we are now in the division of Academic Affairs, we are located on the first floor of the Golisano Academic Center. Don't worry, it's not too difficult to find us! Our office is located on the same level as Linehan Chapel, and across from the offices that belong to the Center for Civic Engagement. Our new office number is GAC 111. 

One of the most convenient parts of our move is that we are located directly across from Emily Carpenter's office. Emily is the Director of Internships, and she works with our office on a frequent basis. It's very easy to make an appointment with her (just like our office)! So, if you have any questions about internships, don't be hesitant to ask Emily by phone call or appointment. (585-289-2571)

We still offer the same services as before, such as resume/cover letter help, job search, career counseling, and mock interviews. Even though we're in a new spot, don't be afraid to call our office. We're excited to help you with your new career goals!