It's that time of year again when internship applications have gone out and now the waiting game begins. To share with you the student perspective, Captivated By Child Life is excited to have one of our first mentees, Amanda Wright, share with you her advice as she goes through this same process. Amanda is a graduate student at Texas Women's University in their Child Life masters program. She earned her BS in Human Development & Family Studies at Texas Tech University! Read on for Amanda's thoughts/advice for making your way through the application process.
You’ve filled out the common application. You’ve gathered the additional materials. You’ve checked every little thing off your lists and have submitted those completed applications. What do you do now? For those of you whom have previously applied to practicum or internship programs, you know what comes next. For those of you whom have not experienced the application process before, it is a waiting game. You may find yourself constantly checking your email or waiting for the phone to ring at any given moment. You will be thinking of all the things that could go wrong; did they receive my application, what if I forgot something, what if I get rejected? These thoughts will lead to a lot of added stress and anxiety.
What you could, and should, be doing instead is preparing yourself for the best possible outcome. Begin reviewing theories on development and family systems. Practice answering scenario or situational questions. Think back through your experiences and write down the most impactful ones. Remind yourself why you want to become a child life specialist. By doing these, you will not only be preparing yourself for phone or in-person interviews, but you will also be focusing your mind and energy on something positive. It will help build your confidence, which is always a great thing to have when speaking to child life professionals. And please, remember to take care of yourself during this waiting game too. Whether it is a good book, a bubble bath, or a night out with your friends, it is important to begin practicing self-care.
After the submission deadline, some sites will notify you and describe their review process or what dates they will be making phone screens and on-site interviews, others will not say anything at all. As the initial offer day approaches, remember to take deep breaths and take everything in stride. It can be frustrating to receive a rejection, but it does not mean that your journey is over. While you may not land a practicum or internship position, you can always “try, try again” for the next round. If this happens to you, ask for feedback and suggestions, so you can improve for next time. Continue in your volunteer or working experiences with children and families. If it is feasible, look for more opportunities such as camps, non-profit organizations, child development centers, etc. You will be amazed at what you can find when you take a good look. Also, consider finding a mentor who can review your application materials and support you during your next application round. You may find a mentor in a professor, a volunteer supervisor, or even online.
For those of you whom are currently waiting to hear back from your applications for a summer internship, I am right there with you. I want to wish you all the best of luck and to remind you that not receiving an offer this round does not reflect poorly on you at all. Hospitals have limited positions available, and with 50 or more applicants, they must choose their best option(s). There is no shame in having to apply multiple times before receiving an offer. So please do not take rejection during this time personally, instead see the no as a ‘not yet.’ At the end of the day, nobody will ask you “how long did it take you to get an internship”. Instead they want to know what you saw and learned during your internship. Just remember that you are doing the work and it will pay off someday.
-Amanda Wright, BS
Commenti