Learning Beyond the Classroom: CHSE Celebrates National Intern Day

National Intern Day is meant to recognize and thank the hardworking interns who contribute to the workforce. The LSU College of Human Sciences & Education recognizes two of our students who are learning beyond the classroom in preparation for their future careers.

What is a project or task you've worked on that you're proud of?
The firm has approximately 1,400 corporate minute books, which contain the founding documents for companies. About 350 of these companies are now dissolved and could be moved to the offsite warehouse to make room for other files. While I was there, I processed all the dissolved companies, moving the files to the warehouse and updating the databases with their new location. This helped open space in the central file room for other files. 

What is something that surprised you about working in this role?
Managing the files is the easy part of records management. The more complicated part of the job is coordinating with people on creating these policies and explaining their importance.

What is the most valuable skill you've developed in this role?  
Having the opportunity to work hands on with files was incredibly helpful for translating textbook concepts into real-world work. It was also wonderful visiting several different companies and seeing the similarities and differences between records management programs. 

How has your CHSE education prepared you for this internship experience?  
My CHSE education gave me a great foundation in records management concepts that I was able to put into practice during this internship. 

What is one piece of advice a supervisor, mentor or colleague has given you that stuck?  
Building trust is the most important part of records management. It takes time to build that trust, but once you have it, it’s easier to implement new policies and move the organization forward. 

If you could describe this internship experience in three words, what would they be?  
Wonderful. Informative. Eager. 

What do you want other LSU students to know about the value of an internship?  
I love going to school, but no textbook or video can replace real-world experience. It helps you realize how much you know and can do once you’re working.

What's one thing you'd tell a student who is nervous about applying for their first internship? 
Internships are meant to be a learning experience. If you’re concerned that you may not have all the skills or background knowledge for an opportunity, but you’re interested in the work, apply for it and make sure they understand your passion. Wanting to learn is something many bosses appreciate and they’re willing to teach the more technical skills. 

What is a project or task you've worked on that you're proud of? 
The part of my internship that I am most proud of has been being able to build relationships with clients through Community Brief Crisis Support. Being able to continue working with someone after the initial crisis and actually seeing their progress has been incredibly rewarding. It has given me the opportunity to build trust with them, help them connect with resources and support them as they work toward stability. Seeing those small victories over time has probably been the most meaningful part of this experience for me. 

What is something that surprised you about working in this role? 
I think what surprised me the most was how much happens behind the scenes. Before this internship, I mostly thought about responding to the crisis itself, but there's so much coordination afterward. Following up with clients, completing their paperwork, communicating with other providers and making sure people don't fall through the cracks is just as important as the initial intervention.

What is the most valuable skill you've developed in this role? 
I've definitely become more confident in my communication skills. I have learned how to build rapport quickly, have difficult conversations and stay calm even when situations are stressful. I have also learned how important it is to really listen to people and meet them where they are instead of jumping straight to solutions.

How has your CHSE education prepared you for this internship experience? 
My classes gave me a strong foundation in things like human behavior, ethics, cultural competence and evidence-based practice, but this internship has really helped me put those concepts into practice. It is one thing to learn about mental health interventions in class, and it is another to actually be out in the community working with people. Having that educational foundation made the transition into fieldwork feel much more natural, though. 

What is one piece of advice a supervisor, mentor, or colleague has given you that stuck? 
One thing that has really stuck with me is that building “a genuine connection still comes before anything else.” And that every client is different, and everyone's journey looks different. That reminder has helped me slow down, listen more and focus on building trust and a connection instead of trying to fix everything right away.

If you could describe this internship experience in three words, what would they be? 
Rewarding, eye-opening, and meaningful.

What do you want other LSU students to know about the value of an internship? 
I would tell other LSU students to take advantage of every opportunity they can during their internship. It is where everything you have learned in the classroom starts to make sense. You will gain confidence, build professional relationships and learn so much about yourself. For me, this experience has reinforced that social work is exactly where I am supposed to be, and I do not think I could have learned that from a classroom alone.