Caitlin Larkin
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My Internship at Howell High School
My name is Caitlin Larkin. I am a junior here at Monmouth, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Health Studies. My site for my field experience class was Howell High School. This school is located in Farmingdale, New Jersey. The population of the students is 2,500, ranging from grades 9 to 12. The school also has special academic programs, which are called F-pack. The programs are music and dance related. Within these programs, students from all over the Freehold Region District have the opportunity to apply for these programs and attend Howell.
I worked in the Guidance Department, shadowing the seven different counselors, as well as my supervisor. However, I worked more closely with two of the counselors. One was a young, first year counselor who I related to very well. The second was a more experienced counselor who just received her ten year; and she gave me a lot of insight in the field. I formed a more personal relationship with the two of them, and felt very comfortable talking to them about any issues or concerns I may have been having. Between the two of them, I was able to learn what the specific responsibilities each Guidance Counselor in their high school has.
I was able to have a great deal of hand-on experiences as well as learning experiences throughout my time at Howell. My supervisor confided in me to perform many tasks and projects, and each time I performed well on something I was praised for my good work, which gave me such a boost of confidence. I did the little things of making copies, sending faxes, organizing drawers and folders, as all interns seem to do. However, I also sat in on individual meetings with students, parents, and staff members, as well as learned to create the students schedules (for all grades), and helped the juniors and seniors with their college searches.
There are many interesting stories I could tell you today because of all the experiences I have had throughout my internship, but one specific one stands out to me. During my second week of interning, a tragedy occurred to one of the students at Howell; the student passed away in a car accident. A crisis as this one shocked me and I was unsure how the Guidance Staff would handle it. The offices of the counselors were packed with many traumatized students; it was a very sad week to be at the school. Close friends of the student were individually met with and constantly checked up on. The school bounced back from this tragedy and was able to continue with the loving memory of the student with them always. I didn’t tell this story to damper your day, I wanted to share what an eye opening experience this was for me. I never realized how important Guidance Counselors were to their students, until I saw how much support each one of the counselors at Howell gave to the students in need.
We had to conduct a project of our own called “The Little Piece Project”. For my project I decided to have a “De-stress Fest” for the staff in my department. They work so hard, and are constantly stressed about little occurrences throughout their day. This took place the week after the HSPA testing was administered, which was a very hectic week for them. I set up the conference room with a table cloth, balloons, played music, and baked cupcakes. Any students that came down to the office during that time, I assisted them, and also answered any phones calls, so that they could spend some time relaxing with one another.
Personally, I’ve had such a successful time at Howell, from when I started in January, and continuing through now. I have completed my required hours for this class, but I am continuing to go each week because I like it too much to stop! This experience has also showed me that I can be successful in the work field, as well as perform tasks on my own without any help from others. I have always been extremely reliant on others, and this internship has revealed to me that I really can be successful as an individual.
Professionally, going in to this internship, I had a pretty set idea that a school counselor was what I wanted to be. But the first day of my internship made my mind up completely; I knew I had found my future. Within the next two years, two of the counselors are looking to retire. I was told by some of the staff I should apply for the position once I graduate and receive my Master’s Degree in School Counseling from Monmouth. I could definitely see myself doing that, and working in Howell. I love the environment and the staff, and I am going to be sad once this year is completed. I am also looking into obtaining a substitute teaching position for the months of May and June there, so that I can still be involved with the school for a little longer.
This class was extremely helpful for me. I probably would have not had the opportunity to have such a great site as well as experience, if I had to go out and find an internship on my own. The main benefit of this class is to weed out a potential profession you may not be suited for as well as strengthen your aspiration for a definite future profession.
My name is Caitlin Larkin. I am a junior here at Monmouth, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Health Studies. My site for my field experience class was Howell High School. This school is located in Farmingdale, New Jersey. The population of the students is 2,500, ranging from grades 9 to 12. The school also has special academic programs, which are called F-pack. The programs are music and dance related. Within these programs, students from all over the Freehold Region District have the opportunity to apply for these programs and attend Howell.
I worked in the Guidance Department, shadowing the seven different counselors, as well as my supervisor. However, I worked more closely with two of the counselors. One was a young, first year counselor who I related to very well. The second was a more experienced counselor who just received her ten year; and she gave me a lot of insight in the field. I formed a more personal relationship with the two of them, and felt very comfortable talking to them about any issues or concerns I may have been having. Between the two of them, I was able to learn what the specific responsibilities each Guidance Counselor in their high school has.
I was able to have a great deal of hand-on experiences as well as learning experiences throughout my time at Howell. My supervisor confided in me to perform many tasks and projects, and each time I performed well on something I was praised for my good work, which gave me such a boost of confidence. I did the little things of making copies, sending faxes, organizing drawers and folders, as all interns seem to do. However, I also sat in on individual meetings with students, parents, and staff members, as well as learned to create the students schedules (for all grades), and helped the juniors and seniors with their college searches.
There are many interesting stories I could tell you today because of all the experiences I have had throughout my internship, but one specific one stands out to me. During my second week of interning, a tragedy occurred to one of the students at Howell; the student passed away in a car accident. A crisis as this one shocked me and I was unsure how the Guidance Staff would handle it. The offices of the counselors were packed with many traumatized students; it was a very sad week to be at the school. Close friends of the student were individually met with and constantly checked up on. The school bounced back from this tragedy and was able to continue with the loving memory of the student with them always. I didn’t tell this story to damper your day, I wanted to share what an eye opening experience this was for me. I never realized how important Guidance Counselors were to their students, until I saw how much support each one of the counselors at Howell gave to the students in need.
We had to conduct a project of our own called “The Little Piece Project”. For my project I decided to have a “De-stress Fest” for the staff in my department. They work so hard, and are constantly stressed about little occurrences throughout their day. This took place the week after the HSPA testing was administered, which was a very hectic week for them. I set up the conference room with a table cloth, balloons, played music, and baked cupcakes. Any students that came down to the office during that time, I assisted them, and also answered any phones calls, so that they could spend some time relaxing with one another.
Personally, I’ve had such a successful time at Howell, from when I started in January, and continuing through now. I have completed my required hours for this class, but I am continuing to go each week because I like it too much to stop! This experience has also showed me that I can be successful in the work field, as well as perform tasks on my own without any help from others. I have always been extremely reliant on others, and this internship has revealed to me that I really can be successful as an individual.
Professionally, going in to this internship, I had a pretty set idea that a school counselor was what I wanted to be. But the first day of my internship made my mind up completely; I knew I had found my future. Within the next two years, two of the counselors are looking to retire. I was told by some of the staff I should apply for the position once I graduate and receive my Master’s Degree in School Counseling from Monmouth. I could definitely see myself doing that, and working in Howell. I love the environment and the staff, and I am going to be sad once this year is completed. I am also looking into obtaining a substitute teaching position for the months of May and June there, so that I can still be involved with the school for a little longer.
This class was extremely helpful for me. I probably would have not had the opportunity to have such a great site as well as experience, if I had to go out and find an internship on my own. The main benefit of this class is to weed out a potential profession you may not be suited for as well as strengthen your aspiration for a definite future profession.