Abigail Jordan

Dr. Kaninjing

KINS 4306

8 April 2019

Spring Internship Reflection Paper

1. Introduction

This semester I have had the privilege of interning at the Women’s Center at Georgia

College. The Women’s Center was founded by Director Jennifer Graham after an undergraduate

project challenged her to create something that the campus would benefit from. Over the years,

the Women’s Center has grown exponentially in size and staff, now calling Blackbridge Hall

home. There are several layers to the mission statement of the Women’s Center: creating

programming promoting healthy sexuality and relationships, providing opportunities for

leadership development and personal empowerment, collaborating across campus and

community for social change, driving power-based interpersonal violence prevention efforts at

GC, and supporting members of our campus community in times of crisis.

Over the years, the Women’s Center has also expanded into the HUB, which has united

different minority clubs on campus to be under the same roof. The HUB includes the Women’s

Center, Cultural Center, LGBTQ+ Center, and Veterans’ Lounge. The mission of the HUB,

which stands for Honoring, Uniting, Building, is to honor and unite the intersectional identities

of our campus community while challenging identity-based oppression through education and

support. It’s refreshing to be working alongside different groups. It’s enabled us all to grow in

friendships and allies as we have leaned on one another during different projects and activities
throughout the semester. The primary clientele the Hub/Women’s Center serves is the Georgia

College student population.

Looking back on the semester, the other interns and myself have definitely applied the

mission statements of the HUB and Women’s Center towards our daily work and activities. The

majority of our work has focused on inclusivity, and we’ve learned from our peers how to

intentionally set inclusiveness to all groups of people throughout each project or activity we do.

I’m thankful for this, as it has made me realize that in the past I might’ve (unintentionally) not

have been as inclusive or aware of people groups as I could’ve been.

2. Description of Experiences

As an intern, my expected roles changed often and frequently as I adjusted to whatever was

needed of myself. The other interns (Julie Wiman and Bailey Farr) and myself share an office

with Emily, the Victim Services Coordinator. As the weeks have progressed, Julie, Bailey, and I

have developed a great relationship with Emily. We mostly respond to whatever errands or

things Emily needs done. While she’s been one of our bosses, she has also become a great

mentor for the three of us as we enter into a new stage of our life. She is only a few years older

than us, but the experiences she has had with applying to jobs and figuring out her professional

life have been so helpful to all of us and reassuring that we will all end up where we are

supposed to be. However, as I previously mentioned, our role as interns often changed

sporadically. One day we could be organizing the office, one day we could be hanging

promotional posters on campus, one day we could be leading a after school program for the High

Achievers program. I think this is also what I’ve enjoyed as an intern- that every day has been

different. It’s not the same mundane routine every day, which I appreciate.
 There have been many rewarding aspects of my internship. Foremost, the people that

work at the Women’s Center/HUB are great. It’s so refreshing to be around students of different

majors, not all Public Health. The students that work here major in subjects anywhere from

Biology to Psychology, which has allowed several different viewpoints to be brought to the

table. Being around only Public Health majors the past few years has definitely had its perks, but

it’s nice to be around new people that aren’t my usual classmates. Additionally, our bosses,

Jennifer Graham, Melissa Gerrior, and Emily Brookshire, have been incredible. Not only are

they all super knowledgeable and powerful women, but they are also extremely personable and

care about each of the students that steps foot in Blackbridge Hall. They are professional,

hardworking, and confident women, which is inspiring as I begin my career post-graduation.

When it comes to challenges, there were few. When I first applied to the Women’s Center, I

knew that an aspect of the work was providing services to sexual assault survivors, but I wasn’t

sure as to what extent I would be involved in that. However, after completing VAT (Victim

Advocate Training) courses, I had a feeling that we might be interacting with some students or

tend to their needs, etc. As I began thinking of career options, I have definitely always had a non-

profit career as a prospective path, so as I began my internship for Women’s Center, I thought

this would be a great preview to a potential non-profit-like job. As tasks regarding sexual assault

situations came up, our bosses reminded us of the severity of them and how imperative it was to

remain confidential. Naturally, we all understood and agreed, and helped in any way we could.

However, as I learned of the specific situations that some of the students have faced, it made me

sick. I thought I was emotionally strong enough to handle processing the information, but instead

all I could do was become worried and angry for the students who had to face traumatizing

events. While our training emphasized taking time for yourself after dealing with emotionally
heavy events, I had a hard time separating myself from not becoming emotionally invested in the

well-being of the students. Not that I would personally be lending aid or services to the students,

but knowing the hurt they have been through has led me to understand that a career in this field

would not be emotionally healthy for me. I love lending help or advice to my friends from time

to time when they need it, but as for pursuing this as a career, I do not think I could handle it.

However, I am grateful for this experience because I would’ve never known that I couldn’t

handle it if I didn’t firsthand experience it, and I’ve developed a much greater appreciation for

the individuals who chose this profession as a life- long career.

When it comes to doing more or less of something, I don’t think I would’ve changed

anything. I don’t think we were ever handed too much or too little of a task assigned to us.

3. Perception & Evaluation of the Internship

I first applied to intern at the Women’s Center after hearing of a positive experience an older

Public Health student had. Since I manage my own budget, I couldn’t afford to drive to Macon

every day for an unpaid internship. Also, after taking Dr. Butler’s Women’s Health class, I

admired the work of the Women’s Center, and since it was in walking distance from where I

lived, I decided I would do everything I could to make sure I was able to intern there in the

spring (even if that meant contacting Jennifer Graham 6 months before the internship would even

begin!). The student who interned here before me bragged on the great environment and people

who worked at the WC, and I knew I wanted to be part. That being said, the internship has

definitely met and exceeded my personal expectations. Hearing some of the horrors of other

internships, I’m happy to say that I genuinely enjoy my internship and the people I have met

along the way. I’m able to walk to and from work, which has allowed me to have some time to

myself before the day and to destress on the way home.

 One of my favorite things about working at the WC is the openness that the supervisors have

for the students’ ideas and opinions. At our spring student worker retreat during the first week of

the semester, all of the student workers and interns were asked what we wanted to make of the

Women’s Center this semester. Our ideas were heard, valued, and then implemented into

tangible events and clubs that grew throughout the semester.

The supervision from my internship site supervisor, Jennifer Graham, was fabulous. Not only

did she let us pick what we wanted to do for our project and mini projects throughout the

semester, but she took the time (all while finishing a doctorate degree) to get to know me and the

other interns, checking in on how our job search process was going or if we ever needed any

help. She is a fabulous boss and I’m thankful she’s been my supervisor. I couldn’t have asked for

a more supportive and helpful mentor during my internship. In the second section, I listed my

reason as to why I wouldn’t consider a career in this field- because of the emotional weight a job

like would carry. However, because of the overall positive experience I’ve had at the Women’s

Center, I would absolutely recommend the setting to future interns who are independent, open-

minded, caring, and hard-working.

4. Internship Preparedness

Academically, I believe I was fully prepared to work at the Women’s Center. However, since

I never have worked in an office setting before, I was not as confident in what to expect.

However, I believe I am good at communicating and not being afraid to ask for clarification on

things, so I am able to adapt to unknown settings quickly and efficiently.

Public Health classes like Intro to Women’s Health and Human Sexuality have all benefitted

me as an intern and have been relatable to the environment I am in. Because of my Women’s

Health course, I was completely aware of the Georgia College Women’s Center, what they stand
for, what services they offer, etc. I was also BRAVE trained as a requirement for the Women’s

Health class, which is a huge program that is run out of the Women’s Center. The Human

Sexuality course prepared me for this internship as it made me more cognizant of different

sexualities and gender identities, all which are supported at the Women’s Center. From both of

these classes, an overarching theme of empathy and respect are taught, which are also imperative

and core values of working at the Women’s Center.

To better prepare Public Health students for real life application of public health concepts

and for future employment, I think it would be a great idea to start allowing students to meet and

hear from real public health professionals earlier on in their Public Health degree. During the

internship, we talk about graduation plans and whatnot, but it’s never really mentioned in the

classroom, unless that is to pursue a MPH. I think a prep course for final year Public Health

students would be a great addition. This course could discuss anything from resumes, career

exploration, adjustments to life after college, etc. Similar to a freshman year seminar, I think a

senior year seminar for Public Health students would be nothing but beneficial.

5. Internship Performance

I garnered several new skills and knowledge from being an intern- a lot of which I couldn’t

have learned in the classroom. I’ve learned how to work with people of all different backgrounds

and studies, which have enabled me to see what different minds can bring to the table. I’ve

learned how to appreciate a routine; knowing I’ll be at work most of the day, and then scheduling

time for the gym and being with friends. I believe I thrive best when I’m on a routine, so I have

been very appreciative of the consistency.

As for my assignments, I am very satisfied with my work ethic. I’ve done very well on all of

my assignments, projects, and presentation! I think my quality of work is great. I do exactly what
is asked of the assignments from me, and turn them on time. My planner is also to thank for this;

I write down everything that is assigned and when it’s due to keep track. As for what I could

sharpen, I think I could do better with asking for clarity of assignments that might confuse me. I

don’t want anyone to think I don’t understand something that might be simple to someone else,

but I definitely need to develop more confidence in this area so I can be as successful as I

possibly can after graduation.

6. Personal/Professional Insights/Benefits

My internship at the Women’s Center has impacted me in several different areas of my life.

Personally, I have really enjoyed working and spending time with people who aren’t Public

Health majors. Being in Public Health, you have all of your classes with the same people. It’s

been refreshing to meet new people and hear new perspectives on things you might’ve never

thought about. This internship experience has enabled me to personally grow in my future

professional self. Although I’m working about 36 hours per week, it’s been nice to get used to

spending that time in an office, so when my next internship starts after graduation, the time

length won’t be overwhelming or surprising. I’ve learned a lot about the Women’s Center and

the services they provide. I am overwhelmingly grateful that there are professionals who chose

this field as a career, so that they can better the lives of people who have been through traumatic

situations. The staff at the Women’s Center do not take their jobs lightly, yet are also completely

warm and welcoming to everyone who walks through our door.

I really recommend interning at the Women’s Center to Public Health students looking for an

internship. I’ve learned so much about myself and others here and am bittersweet about my time

coming to an end. It’s been a great semester, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Wishing the

best of luck to the next Women’s Center interns!