Carmel Maranan

We are now at the last week of the internship and also just had our last professional development. While we may have learned many things during professional development, or just the internship in general, there is one thing that i feel like the internship really emphasizes- making connections. Our last professional development in particular focused on networking, who our network is, what networking is, and how to successfully network. We were asked how networking helped us achieve a goal, and while that exact situation never happened to me, I was able to have opportunities through networking. One of those opportunities was actually this internship. During the school year, I was part of a program called Youth Voices in the Aquinas Center, and I was asking Ms.Bethany (my supervisor) if there was ever an opportunity for a job, that I could informed about it. She was actually someone who gave me a lot of oppurtunities, mainly for volunteer work and presentation opportunities around the Aquinas Center. So Ms. Bethany was actually how I found out about Sycep.

This past week of professional development, we had a workshop on financial literacy. During the workshop, we learned how to handle our money( investing or saving), how to make or earn more, and the role of money in the world. One of the first things we learned was what we could do with the money we have, and the ways money is represented -cash or through card. We learned the difference between bank accounts and cash or card. To go along with that, we also learned about investments and savings and how we could use it as a way to make more money using money we already have. During the workshop, we were asked to make a list of the things we would buy with the money we make or what we would do with it. After gathering the answers, the information was generalized into different ways money is used, such as for investment, social capital, and future opportunities. This short activity showed us what we could do with our money, especially now because we are earning our own money.

Its week four in the internship and we are just over half way into the program. So far there has been 3 professional development sessions and in those professional developments, we have learned different things from how to introduce ourselves (first impressions), our strengths and abilities, to making a statement for ourselves. When I think about applying the skills I learned to everyday life, it is a little hard as I believe that I would not be exposed to the working industry that much yet. However, I recently learned that I will have to use those skills soon if I want to make a good and lasting impression on people, and it also does not need to be in the working industry. I could use it when I have presentations, when I enter high school this coming September, and other various opportunities. This week’s professional development consisted of discussions and activities on how to build a strong resume and cover letter, and also a creative and distinct personal brand. I learned that a strong resume and cover letter is important when choosing a college/job because the better it is, the better impression it would leave. Having a strong and distinctive resume and cover letter will distinguish yourself from other applicants. Not only does the resume and cover letter distinguish yourself, a personal brand will also be a deciding factor. A distinct, memorable personal brand is something that could leave a lasting impression. It shows who you are, not just on a professional level, but on a level where businesses/colleges can see what kind of person you are and if you are worth hiring/accepting. Currently, I only use google, and facebook as my form of social media. To build up my personal brand and social media presence, I plan to be more accessible and have better access to social media. I also am planning to keep in mind the fact that everything on social media is permanent and can definitely affect people’s impression of you.

Discipline, Learner, Achiever, Analytical, Intellection. By taking the StrengthsQuest test, I learned that these are the five words that could best describe me-my five signature themes. After seeing and reading about my five themes, I was not actually surprised. I noticed more things about me as I read the insight descriptions of my themes. Also, as I learned the descriptions of my results, I learned that many of my own characteristics are actually the strengths or benefits of my results.At the second professional development, we discussed our themes, then did several activities with our results. One of our activities was like a scavenger hunt. During the “scavenger hunt”, we had to go around, name 10 people who had different signature themes than the ones we had. Additionally, we had to ask what they think were the challenges of having that trait, and also the benefits of it. After the activities, I had an idea of the different personalities that were in the room. There were varying themes from futuristic, harmony, to deliberative. Initially, you would not think that others would have a specific trait. However, as I went around and interviewed one another about the challenges and benefits, I was able to see them portray a little bit of that trait that they possess. After the activities, we were asked questions about own results and how it could go into play with our working site or with co-workers. Personally, I was not surprised of my results, but after seeing the other different themes, there were some of them where i thought could describe me as well. While completing the activity, I saw a couple signature themes such as empathy or deliberative that I thought could apply to me as well. Learning about the different signature themes of everyone in the room showed me how different personalities are able to come together. 

Its week 2 of the internship and, I must say, there are a lot of things happening. I learned a lot of things while in just my first professional development. I have also been having tons of funs in my worksite. I have met some really cool and nice people not just in my worksite but in the internship which is a great thing. At the moment, I am working at the summer camp that my worksite is holding. Last week was my first official week of work, but I have been working at the camp since it started. Throughout the camp period, it is both a challenge and fun. I am working with the little kids (grades 2-3 in specific), and of course, they are a lot of work. Many times I have to deal whining, complaining and sometimes tears. During the transitions between activities, it is a little bit of a struggle controlling the kids. Despite the challenges, it is really nice talking to the kids and seeing the kids having fun during the activity and just during the camp in general. The counselours also have our fun as well. Many times, we participate in the activities, which some of the activities are actually amusing.