Those of us, who have declared Human Services as our major, have done so based on one underlying guiding principle, the desire to help others. Based on life-altering moments in our personal lives, we as Human Service students have chosen to take the knowledge and empathy that we've learned and gained from these experiences and openly use it to help make a difference in the lives of others. In choosing Mental Health as my major, I knew that I'd be able to apply both my deep commitment to helping others with my own personal experiences and knowledge through the Human Services Internship program.
In selecting my client population, I instantly knew that I wanted to work with severely emotionally and behaviorally disturbed children and adolescents. With the help of LaGuardia's field liaisons, I was given the opportunity to work with my selected client population for all three of my internships. Although I worked with the same population throughout my internships, I worked in different agencies, all of which cater to the needs of this specific population. In switching agencies, I was not only given the opportunity to work alongside many diverse professionals, such as teachers, psychologists, nurses, and psychotherapists, but I was also able to make vital personal and career connections that will serve as a tremendous source of references and recommendations for when I choose to start my own career.
On a personal level, the people who deeply affected my very heart and soul the most were ALL of the children and adolescents I met, befriended, and ultimately grew to adore. These children, in every conceivable way, have endured and suffered horrific tragedies involving their upbringing, thus making it difficult for people to connect with them. But in my situation, since I'm young and also a student, "my kids" soon grew to trust me with their deepest secrets, fears, and beautiful dreams. "Listening" it seems, took on a whole new meaning. I was let into their private world, a world that neither you nor I would ever want to live in. I learned how regardless of how young a child is, abuse and hatred knows no age limit. But most importantly, I learned that amongst all of the chaos in their young lives, and despite their aggressive and brutal nature, they are still children and adolescents who are creative, comical and silly, loving, friendly, and above all hopeful. I learned how to "see" the real person behind the façade. I learned to see the hurt and scared child behind the tough act. I learned how to truly "see".
In every way possible, the Human Services Internship program has provided me with the most wonderful learning experience of my life. From my internships, I've gained invaluable knowledge, patience, a deeper understanding of social issues, and wonderful memories of all the caring and loving professionals, students, and patients who have deeply affected me in all areas of my life. Had it not been for this incredible opportunity, I would have never been able to discover the person I truly am. But one thing is most certain, the Internship program has not only solidified my desire to pursue a career in clinical psychology, it has given me a purpose to devote my entire career into giving a voice to the unspoken cries of Child Abuse.