My name is Hannah and I have been working at the YMCA Afterschool program for 2 years now. Throughout my journey working here I have made so many great connections with the kids and learned so much. While there are tough days that I have there are also great days. There will be some kids that get on your nerves but there are also kids that'll make your day. No day ever looks the same working at the afterschool program which is why I love it so much!
What does my internship look like?:
My internship is with the YMCA After-school Program and I work with children from ages 5-11. With this program it gives kids a chance to express themselves outside of school. It gives them the opportunity to unwind, but still learn and grow amazing relationships with other children that might not have happened inside of school. This program provides the ability for everyone to come together and form long lasting bonds and relationships.
How does this class help me?:
This class is a huge help! It helps me build confidence and security in my workplace environment. It helps me build a network of professional people within my future career area. It overall sets me up for success and displays me differently than anyone else my age.
Playing hang man in hallway
Making gingerbread houses with students
Checking in the kindergarteners
Me as the 'cart' person who checks kids in and out
How is a senior internship helping me?:
My senior internship is helping me by giving me experiences to be an Early Childhood teacher I plan to be in the future. Getting these experiences gives me the opportunity to see if I really want to be in this career.
How is this Course different from other classes?:
This course is different from any other class because Workplace Learning gives me real life experiences to build off of and not typically get these types of experiences from other classes. I get to leave school early and work to mold my long term career, and to make money and get career readiness.
A day in my job:
As a YMCA After-school Counselor everyday is different. I try my best to come prepared and show up 10 minutes early. I clock in at 2:12 and start setting up the activities for the kids. Depending on the day, I could be the one up front handling the parents and sending kids home, or I could be assigned to an activity. Firstly, I will check in one of the grades (Kindergarten, First, or Second grade) on one of our attendance sheets. The second part of our routine includes listing and engaging in our core values, the assets we want our students to abide by and consider everyday. After our normal routine begins, the options we provide to the kids vary. They can decide to eat a snack if it's their grade’s time, play games in the cafeteria, do the daily craft, play whiteboard games in the hallway, or play the group game activity we have planned either outside or in the gym. All counselors have a designated area that they are supposed to be depending on the day. On this day with the picture provided, I was in charge of the hallway and bathrooms. I engaged in the game we had planned, which was “Survivor”, and played this until it was my time to leave.