Reflection on the skills and knowledge I have gained in the past two months
What specific tasks, interactions, or experiences have helped you grow the most, and how do these skills align with what you might want to pursue after high school? Over the few months I’ve worked at Dental Care, I have learned a lot of things. I've learned how to work with certain people and help patients feel comfortable. I have learned how to handle different situations, and how to talk to certain patients. So the skills I have gained are customer service, knowledge in the dental field, how to work with people and the most efficient and effective way to do things. This will help me after Highschool because this is the career field I want to go in.
What aspects of your internship have you found most engaging or enjoyable? I love when I know what i’m doing because I took the time to figure out and learn. I love talking to our patients and making them feel comfortable because no one wants to be there. I also like the people I work with, we are short staffed but we have good relationships and good communication skills so we get the job done and still have fun.
How has this experience influenced your perspective on potential career paths or further education? Are there areas you’re now more curious to explore, or new directions you’re considering for the future? I am 99% this is what I want to do. I’m glad I got this experience because if not I wouldn’t know for sure what I want to do. I also will be ahead in my career and will hopefully being a Registered Dental Assistant before I even graduate Highschool.
-November 2024
Over the past month, what have you learned about the profession you are interning in? How has your understanding of the day-to-day responsibilities or challenges in this field evolved? I’ve learned that you never stop learning and there is always room for improvement. Another thing I have learned is that there is always something to do. I have learned so much just in the last couple months, I never would have thought I would be at this point anytime soon. Through this experience I have had so many great opportunities and I’ve learned hard work pays off.
Reflect on the skills you have developed or improved during the past three months. What tasks or experiences helped you build these skills, and which of these skills do you now feel most confident using? I have learned how to interact with patients and meet their needs. I've also learned more about teeth, got a better understanding of things, and have a better routine. The experiences and challenges have helped me learn these skills. I am more of a hands-on learner so just throwing myself into something is a good way to learn sometimes. I am very happy with the progress I have made in such a short amount of time.
How has your comfort level in this professional environment changed since you began your internship? What specific moments or accomplishments made you feel more confident in your abilities? My comfort level has changed since I first started because I have created relationships with the people I work with, and I have studied and put a lot of effort into this career. Some moments that have made me feel confident in what I'm doing is being right and actually knowing what I’m doing. An accomplishment that made me feel more confident is when I received the email from the Iowa Dental Board to get approved to become a registered dental assistant.
-December 2024
Looking back on your entire internship experience, what are the most significant skills, knowledge, or personal strengths you have gained? I have learned a variety of skills including balancing multiple priorities at once, maintaining a good work ethic, I learned how to work with other's and how to deal with certain situations. Furthermore I also learned that there is always something you can be doing, there's always room for improvement. Ask questions, learn from your mistakes and that there is always a next step. when I look back and reflect on how much I learned and accomplished in a good amount of time I am incredibly proud of myself. In addition to learning all of these skills that will help me in life, I also have started working towards my future career and have a license under my belt before I graduate.
How have these new skills or experiences changed your confidence in a professional setting? I think this gives me a better idea of what to expect and to help me know what to do to prepare myself in the future for whatever job comes next. This opportunity has also taught me a variety of things and has helped me gain confidence in what I'm doing.
What are the top three lessons you’ve learned from this internship? These could be related to career insights, workplace skills, communication, teamwork, or time management. I believe that sometimes getting thrown into something and getting hands on experience is the best way to find out if you like something. You will get the real feel for the job to see if that is something you want/could do the rest of your life or if it's worth going to college for. Another lesson I learned is how much time and effort you put into something will determine what results you get. The final lesson is goals are just the start to accomplishing your dreams.
How do these lessons connect to your future goals? The lessons I talked about connect to my future goals because I will be going to a program and doing lots of hands on activities. I set a goal for myself to go to an esthetician program now that I have my dental license, and after I receive my esthetician license, I will eventually do both. My point is setting goals is the start of your future and you never know if you like something until you try it and get an actual feel of what it's like.
What was the biggest challenge you faced during your internship, and how did you handle it? The biggest challenge I had was being nervous about not knowing things and messing up. I faced it by accepting I am not gonna know everything right away and all I can do is try to improve by learning from others and asking questions.
Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently to address this challenge?No I am very happy with the progress I have made and the way I went about things. Hands on experience and studying is the best way to learn.
Has this internship confirmed or changed your thoughts about your career interests? The internship and working at the dental office over the summer and school year has confirmed that I enjoy what I am doing. In addition it also has gave me the drive to follow another one of my career paths I have always been interested in. But my future plan is to eventually do both down the road.
Based on what you’ve learned, what are the next steps you want to take—whether in education, career exploration, or skill-building? The next step I would like to take is continuing to learn more and getting my radiography in May when I turn 18. After that I will be looking into Esthetician programs while continuing to work at the dental office. I believe now is the best time to explore options when I don't have bills and other expenses.
If you had to summarize your internship experience in one sentence, what would it be? I would summarize it by saying it was one of the best opportunities someone could have. From being able to get hours at work while still balancing other activities, learning a variety of things, getting more experience, and having a certification under my belt before graduation. I had a better feeling knowing that I enjoy what I do and have more experience instead of paying for some kind of schooling for a career I don't enjoy.
What is one key message or piece of advice you would share with future interns based on your experience? My advice is seek out as much hands-on experience as you can, and take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. Don’t wait to take action if there are classes or certifications you can complete ahead of time, do so. It’s all about setting yourself up for success early. Embrace every opportunity people offer, whether it’s a chance to learn something new or a project that might push you out of your comfort zone. In addition, try as many things as possible to discover what truly resonates with you, and always set clear, achievable goals. Stay organized, stay on top of your tasks, and be proactive. One of the most important things is to show up on time and maintain a good work ethic. Consistency is key.