The UnStoppable Adventures of an Intern

Hi Peeps! This blog will be dedicated to my new experiences as an intern. This blog will contain not only my own experiences and milestones I make while interning but, advice and day to day quotes, pictures, self-care tips to maintain a successful internship ! I Hope this blog can be of help to your own journey

[the--unstoppable-blog]

Probing for information

Journal 13 

This week was very calm not much really going on outside of the usual. It seems like Wescare is slowing down as it heads into the summer. I feel like the day support program is about to become busy considering schools is letting out and some of the individuals is attends school during the day. The energy at wescare seems more relaxed than how the beginning of the year has started out. The main thing I worked on in the previous week was asking some interview questions from my supervisor and gauging her experience working here and at other companies. I got to know a lot about her through the guise of my research project so doing that was fun.

[the--unstoppable-blog]

The clock strikes 12..

Last journal

My experience was very rocky considering that this was wescare first time hosting interns, although I was given the implied impression during the interview that this was not their first go around. So, being the first ever intern came with a lot of trial and error interning at this facility. I learned that I should vet places a little harder than going from their word because they were very under prepared to host interns; towards the ends some days I felt like I was wasting my time. This company does not understand the meaning of how to have interns and I want to be lenient because it’s their first time however, only one supervisor was trying to give everything a learning and growing experience. The other Qp handed us busy work which turn from a learning environment to feeling like free labor. Although we get compensated through the learning experience this was not worth my sweat labor.  I also  learned that although I like independence I still prefer to not work in a Laissez-faire atmosphere because it seems like when you need to take responsibility over someone else growth it does not happen and a lot of issues go unchecked because nobody keeping tabs on each other. I applied my sociological background through observation-participation to help with my research paper. This intern was not what I hoped for I feel as if they dropped the ball tremendously and again was very underprepared and did not have set goals for us. If they decide to do interns again, I would hope they have a set plan on what we will be doing and schedule. However, this may sound harshly but this type of environment I feel as if they do not need to host interns again.

[the--unstoppable-blog]

Cancelled but making new arrangement!

Since the season suddenly changed from cold to summer to rainy showers we had to cancel the plans for Country Park and improvise with doing a movie night for the individuals instead. We have not gone over another date to redo going to country park we might just hold off on that until the summertime. Instead, we might be making a return to the science museum and having a field day to substitute not being able to go outside. Also, since I took a step away from the day support program to the heavy rain I went back to help my other Qp on administrative work and she again did not have much work for me to do so this week was a little slow for me.

[the--unstoppable-blog]

Coming Soon !! :)

Journal 11

During this week I decided to start my search on looking for suitable parks for the individuals while still balancing my other assignments at my internship.  Since my work will now be split between day support program and the administrative team, I must be mindful of my deadlines. While looking for a park I must keep in mind Wescare & the individual’s budget as well as the capabilities of them. So, looking for a park that is handicap accessible will be necessary so that everyone will have something to do such as will the trails be handicap accessible and will everyone have something to do that suit their needs. The individuals make under $5 for each activity completed in the day support program. So, I don’t want to dig in their pockets too much and find some cost to free friendly activities for them. So, while on the search I came across country park which I put together into a document to present to my Qp the perfect part for the individuals.

[the--unstoppable-blog]

Changes are Brewing???!

Journal 10

So, this week we had a team meeting with Qp Supervisor Kenneth. Where we have an opportunity to lay out our concerns and where we felt like we have shown growth in. He seemed very shocked when he told him we did not experience a lot of growth interning as this company. I was also surprised by how some other interns were not vocal about their own concerns during the meetings but, usually have a lot to say when he was not present. I felt like that was an extremely missed opportunity for them to at least try to change what it is going before their time ends here. Just like the quote closed mouths don’t get fed I decided to speak up get and to let him know that my concerns were that I have been stuck doing busy work or nothing and when I do go out and look for other work I’m stuck back doing something I did not sign up for. He seemed very surprised that some of the other interns were in agreeance to what our concerns were and disappointed that the other Qp’s are not following instructions on how to handle their interns. Also, during the meeting, I kept pushing that I wanted more like to plan things outside of just filing and he told me to meet him after the meeting to discuss some of the newer things I can be doing. So, somehow, I ended up in a day support program meeting getting the lead on planning a next outside adventure for the individuals as well as being invited to another supervisor mee4ting to discuss what else is going on. He was also impressed by note taking and wanted me to send him my notes to use as a template for the next interns on notetaking during a meeting. So, I felt excited that things were starting to change my only big question is was this too late in the semester to see significant change?

[the--unstoppable-blog]

Brainstorming and Impromptu Volunteering

Journal 9

So, this week was tough I wasn’t feeling that well, but I still wanted to come in and at least try to get some things done. My QP once again did not have much for me to do this time. So, I just assisted another Intern Brandi with helping to bring some life to Wescare Professional Facebook Page. I believe she decided to scrap the entire old page and begin from scratch. The page is still under construction so I’m not sure if it’s been made to the public can view it yet. Also, I had to make a Facebook account myself (have not had one since middle school) to help in like some of the things on the page. We're still trying to figure out how would we like the community to experience viewing this page as well as getting more people to visit and leave comments. 

Next, Since I did leave my internship early and I felt outside of helping Brandi with the Facebook page I wasn’t being that productive, so I decided to go volunteer for my friends' intern project. Which she is hosting a pop-up farmers market in a lower income area in Greensboro with Greensboro Housing. So, I helped in by passing out flyers and going door to door to alert the community that there will be a farmer’s market pop up starting very soon. This was fun since I got to introduce myself to the community as well as being able to get to know who lives in the community and some of the changes they would like to see. Another Volunteer and I were also well as setting up space for when the vendors to arrive they would know where to go. Since she is undertaking this entire project by herself, I thought it was important to be there to support and assist her in any way.  She was even able to bring a grinder out and offer everything on the truck free of charge to the community and the rest of the vendors would either have a 50% off sale or I believe $2 maximum per lb. for the fresh vegetable. They also had a bicycle contraption where when you pedal you would also start blending a smoothie. So, you can work out and have a nice treat after a good exercise.  Overall, the popup farmers markers were a complete success and I am excited to be returning next week to volunteer! I am very proud of her accomplishment and the many more she will experience. I wish my internship took a page out of there book and handed down a huge responsibility such as doing a project and being responsible for following through with it. That was the type of growth I was looking for in an internship.

[the--unstoppable-blog]

Fresh from Speak Break + (plus) a Scandal ?

03/15/2019

Journal 8

Sadly I’m, back from spring break and I must readjust my mindset from vacationing and “have no worries or responsibility” mode back into school/work mode which the first few days always feels a bit weird to me. Spring break sort of gives you a taste of what few days of freedom feels like before reality comes and pop that bubble. 

Jumping back into internship was extremely easy but a bit rowdy because they were be audited by the people their money makers which is sand hills and the Joint commission. So, all the interns happened to be there at that same time but, nobody notified us of NOT coming in so Sand hills didn’t the room to do their auditing into we was abruptly kicked out of the intern room and moved to the children classroom where we sat in children chairs and kids table until it was time to leave. On top of that none of our QP’s had any assigned work for us because I am assuming, they were busy dealing with the joint commission and sand-hills. Again, this just shows how badly their communication is because we all even downloaded this app called “BAND” to keep in touch with our supervising QP and still not even a heads up of what would be going on. 

Although, showing up to my internship might not have been the best use of my time.I did learn of a possible scandal that they might allegedly be serving the individuals in the day support program and groups outdated food. I heard from another intern she was made to unload a truck from a grocery store and weed through what it rotten and can still be edible also couple with the fact that I did go into the kitchen to look for a snack and saw a nutritional cereal bar and before I decided to eat my intuition told me to check the date on it. Turns out that cereal bar was expired on 01/09/2019... I had gotten that cereal bar (with permissions for a day support staff) off the individuals serving platter. I was shocked and hoping that maybe somebody let this expired bar slip through the cracks and hoping they are checking the dates on the donated food they receive.

After I had left, I was notified through the intern in our own private group chat that while sandhills and the joint commission was there an individual had started to act out and screaming to the point where one of the QP’s had to do a restrictive maneuver on her. She might have been triggered because there was a lot of new people in there for the audit so the change in who is in her environment might have made her uneasy and set her off. Which might have been unsettling for the Auditing teams to see if they have seen nor been in a situation to use a restrictive maneuver. I also learned that one audit went well and the other one didn’t. I wonder if this was one of the reasons it contributed to it not going so well.

Some more questionable news is I learned from another intern who is under our direct QP supervisor that our intern project might be cleaning out a supply closet and then reorganizing it. I am not too enthusiastic about this and hopefully he does not ask us to do this because I did not sign up and intern to be trained as a maintenance staff nor do I see the concept behind how this fit into what I am even interning on. 

[the--unstoppable-blog]

Interning on Spring Break & Taking A Chill Pill

Journal 7  Interning on Spring Break was very uneventful I’m not sure if it was because there were no interns there but Tassia and I for majority of the time but, I am not complaining. I finally got to work in Therap after 10-minute crash course it how it’s kind of works. It could be because I am more accustomed to using Wes Base/QuickBase but Therap is coming off a little bit more complicated. My Qp is still unsure as to how it works but, hopefully its beneficial to them since they are in the process of going paperless. Which is the best idea because I did notice they have a lot of things that has not been filed and because they get audited a lot this is not good for them. Adding in new individuals seems a bit weird but I like how it makes you input a lot more detailed information, so it doesn’t let you process half information. Also, my Qp was busing preparing for an audit so I didn’t have anything to do. Since I was already there, I decided to help Tassia in one of her projects. Since she is one of the co-CEO of her nonprofit children facility that is sharing space with Wes Care I thought I would help her since she seemed like she was juggling a lot. Her facility is like Wes care except for she mainly works with children whom have an intellectual disability or behavior disorders. This was a smooth transition into my break since I only decided to do 3 days out of the week then go home and rest.

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Late Thoughts, Annoyance & Complications

Journal 6 

This post is a little bit late but I guess needed some times after my last to gather my thoughts together to do a proper rant or rather voicing my concerns.

 My internship has a lot a lot of communication issues dealing with their Interns and QP even just bad communication amongst themselves.  The structure of the interns is non-existent and although we try to combat by taking the initiative to look for meaningful work, we get stuck doing trivial task like organizing a shelf that should have been done. Which I also don’t understand why they are backed up on their filing have things unfiled since 2015 because they have so much free time to just watch T.V or listen to music. I really do feel like from my initial interview to now there was a lot of things that was exaggerated and made to look like we would be doing meaningful work. Although, I can’t fault my supervising QP because he genuinely cares about turning this place around and making it better. I feel like the mistake that are being made has surpassed the excuse of “well, it’s their first time being an internship site”. Also, this place would be a great chance as creating growth and valuable experience for their interns if they sat some time aside to build a plan for us or allow us to create something since, they are so hard to get into contact with and do not respond in a timely manner.  Now, I just need to figure out how delicately but very sternly voices my concerns without offending the people in this establishment

[the--unstoppable-blog]

Check All That Apply 1. Certified? 2. Semi-Certified 3. Without a Doubt 100% Finally Certified  ✔✔✔✔

Journal Entry 5

2/23/2019

So, this week was all about playing catch up and completing missed orientation days so that I can finally be able to become a full certified Intern. Completing all the orientation is important for one, so It does not result in me getting dropped from the program but and for two, also being able to not as limited in what I can do. Since I am completed CPR and Wescare Protocol I can fully be trusted to be around the individual and know they are in safe hands.

So, The NCI training was mainly knowing your individual diagnoses and building a report with them so you will know how to treat them according to their diagnoses. For example, if an individual is diagnosed with ODD which is doing the opposite of what the authoritative person is asking you can change how you ask something so that you both can be successful.

The next day was learning CPR, after watching a video on proper way to give CPR to an adult, child and Infant we took turns on the CPR mimicking how we would perform the act on an actual person. Also, I found that you can do CPR on yourself. Although, I was shown how to do that technique it was still interesting to that If I am ever in a situation where nobody else is around to me out It calming to know I could possibly save my own life.   Also, doing CPR you have to be in appropriate shape because when I was trying to restart the CPR doll, I noticed I was breaking out in a sweat and that was just the first 30 pumps. You must do 5 rounds of that to be completely on the safe side This is not as easy as it looks on televisions but, I also if adrenaline in trying to save an actual person give them the extra boost to do all of that and more. Although, this post is shorter compared to other this week was very enriching!

Until next time!

[the--unstoppable-blog]

I Am Invisible Simply because People Refuse to See Me - Ralph Ellison

Journal Entry 4 

Worries in Our Community

Black Butterfly

Are you being heard?

Blue Butterfly

Can you be freed?

Green Butterfly

Are we being seen?

Purple Butterfly

Can you fly?

White Butterfly

Are we really here?

Grey Butterfly

 Will we make it?

Red Butterfly

They are going too fast…

Yellow Butterfly

Please don’t leave us behind…

Pink Butterfly

I don’t think they will understand us.

Orange Butterfly

I Will not make it, I am not Good Enough

Iridescent Butterfly

Do you need me to lend you my wings?

Or Maybe a branch to rest on?

                        I can even lend you my sight                         

    Just know WE will get there ..

Together 💖🌎

By: Destiny A.

Definition of Iridescent :  showing luminous colors that seem to change when seen from different angles

Interning in an environment where you are surround by individuals who are overcoming setbacks. Has taught me to not only appreciate the capabilities I have been given but, also to become more compassionate, understanding, patient and an advocate for those who will have to fight harder for society to acknowledge their value in the world and not be cast aside because of those unique differences.

[the--unstoppable-blog]

Treat Yo Self, Date Yo Self !

Unstoppable self care tip   #2

Title says it all but just in case the people in the back did not HEAR me! Please remember to TREAT and DATE  yourSELF. Find out what you like and who you are so that you are able to protect & reinvest your precious energy into things you are passionate about, especially in your professional life.

Also, on a long day or just any regular day do something that involves indulging your sense of self care such as taking a bubble bath, shopping, buying a new body scrub, taking yourself out to the movies, taking yourself out on a date or simply being around the people that makes your inner spirit laugh and smile.  Self-care is to help reestablish and reaffirm, and HEAL your mind from the daily struggles and self-doubt so that you are able to continue on creating an UNBREAKABLE bond between your mind, body & Soul.

P.s If your single on Valentine’s Day go ahead and be your own valentine ;)

[the--unstoppable-blog]

Sugar, Spice, and Everything New !

Journal Entry 3

Happy Almost Valentines Day XOXO!

This was a week of taking a chance and trying new things. I decided to take a step away from doing admin work (a course with the approval of my designated QP) to explore some of the activities that the clinical QP does. The clinical QP mostly works directly with the Individuals of the company to offer them assistance in any way shape and form. I decided to step in and help them plan the Valentine's Day party for the individuals. This was an exciting and nerve-wracking experience but a fantastic opportunity to humanize the paperwork that I have been working on and to simply interact and put a face to a name of the individual whom paperwork I might encounter.  Since it was last minute, we only had maybe 10- 15 minutes to prepare the type of questions and how to handle things that would be too outrageous to get. When the individual finally arrived, we all took turns introducing ourselves, then passed around the “speaking ball” so that individuals could tell us who they are and one thing they like to do as an icebreaker. The speaking ball came in handy so they everyone has a chance to be heard at what they like at the party. We all took turns interacting with the individual by either directly asking them or just writing the response of the board. Since it was my first-time taking part in an activity like this, I was extremely nervous and would usually look up to the other interns or QP present to make sure I was saying the correct thing. I’m sure with a little bit more practice and loosening up a bit more I could do a better job.  Another new thing that hopefully will get approved by my QP is an Admin Project that another intern and I was thinking about doing. We noticed that the company only had one review and of that one review was a horrible rating. For a center that takes care of people with Intellectual disabilities and/or physical disabilities this will not look good to families wanting to trust their family member in this type of care. We also noticed that company branding of their website could be better because the demographic that they mainly work with not properly advertised in the article. Since this company is a black owned business for them to not have any person of color on their flyer was disheartening and misleading since it’s not showing the diversity nor  inclusive of this company. These 2 factors can play a part in the business not growing to its fullest potential. Where hoping to start the project that eventually increase the clientele base and increase the reviews. Since that one-star rating review is the first thing that pops up in the google engine.  Hopefully, we will be able to able to come up with a solid plan by next week to present to him how we will go about implanting this plan. So, wish us luck!

[the--unstoppable-blog]

Not All Skinfolk are Kinfolk

Angela Rye

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Top Flight Intern of the World ;)

Journal Entry #2

Happy Black History Month! So, it’s official! I have completed my first week of interning, and it’s definitely been exciting. Probably not so much the filing part but, the work environment is everything!  Working in a black-owned business has given me such a different perspective of working around so many different people of color and the personalities you run into. This feeling has been very fulfilling to walk into a building/and or room and not feel the hyper-awareness that you might be the only the only dark-skin black female in the room. Which can cause you to feel like now because you are the only representation of your skin-folk in the room you feel the extra pressure to become someone different. Useless Ebonics, code switch, making yourself more digestible so people can be more comfortable around you but, in doing so stifling your own blackness at the same time.  So that the next time a non-person of color come into contact with someone who looks like you they might not be so quick to make an assumption or assume a stereotype. And that's stressful to always feel like your race is resting on your shoulders to make a good impression because you don't want their experience with you to close the door of so many others who deserved the same chance and support you had. The most beautiful thing about working here is that you are not questioning am I being treated this way because I am black or because I am a woman or because I am a dark skin black woman. The issues of feeling double consciousness and intersectionality lessen when I am in this environment. Granted, colorism and prejudice, and mistreatment can always pop up even in black-owned business but at least I am not always feeling like I am questioning my encounters with non people of color and playing the conversations back to see if it was an actual transgression against me or because of my race or even having to figure out was the ignorance or racism. Maybe I can finally feel and be seen as a human before I am seen as being black. That being said, I am black, and I am Proud and that is not the only things that define whom I am. P.s I also completed my filing from last week (Finally!) and I got my official Intern badge, so I am officially top flight intern of the world! (Friday Movie Reference). Also, the Company owner got the interns Krispy Kreme donuts even though I was the only intern present at the time. Hopefully, it’s still some more left when everyone gets there. :) And as always see you the next post!

[the--unstoppable-blog]

UnStoppable  Selfcare Tip #1

Remember to EAT!

This is the easiest thing to do but, somehow the most easiest thing to forget. Which I have been the culprit of many times. Especially  if you have a jam packed schedule.

This will  optimize your energy to  turn you into the best version of yourself! We all heard the saying your not YOU when you’re hungry! ;)

P.s This was my FIRST lunch at work ! :D

[the--unstoppable-blog]

Saving the world one file and a laugh at a time !

Hi readers! 

Journal 1

Today was very interesting to say the least, I was assigned  the dutiful task of reorganizing the Individuals (clients)  files that mainly consisted of what type of treatment they will receive and how long hours (units) would they get of the treatment. This process is very important and tedious  because if there is one flaw in this system, especially in the paperwork  it can disrupt the entire company causing people to lose out on funding and will cause problems with the IRS when they do their auditing ( this is BAD for everyone! ). I had mountains of paperwork to go through because we have not gone paperless and sadly, by the time I had to leave I barely made a dent!

Which was probably due to an impromptu meeting on discussing the expectations of an intern, what we will be getting out of,  and  doing a fun exercise 2 truths and a lie. I chose I got shot in the face ( I know sounds dark) , I have been on an airplane before, and my middle name is Lee.

My lie was...My middle name is Lee !!  :P My truth was that I got shot in the face with metal BB Toy gun which left a permanent dent near my nose. It’s very small and not really noticeable although, it was very dramatic of me to word it that way it was priceless seeing everyone reaction to that. This exercise was a great way for breaking the ice and loosening  everyone up to begin a serious but, comfortable conversation. We were all definitely laughing and just having a fun experience on what could have been a very boring process but, what moved this process a long painlessly was my director is actually low key funny.

The sprinkles on top of my first day ( working not training)  was actually being able to sit down and talk with my QP which is basically my on site supervisor. She is very nice, sassy, and knows how to get things done and above all genuinely cares about how this company is being ran.

Leaving work today felt great knowing that I am in working capable hands.!

P.s I am an administrative Intern for a company who helps people that must have some level of intellectual and/or physical disabilities. This can be facilitated  through in-home, group- home or through our day support program.

Until the next post..see you soon !  Hopefully I will get all of that paperwork finished by then :) Wish me Luck!