*The Human Services Internship (Chapter 5)

Wilbert Roberson, Jr. Wilmington University The Human Services Internship: Getting the most from your experience. Learning To Learn From Experience: The Integrative Processing Model As you apply the Integrative Processing Model (IPM) to your work, select at least on IPM write-up to submit to your e-portfolio. Select an example that you feel reflects your best work. A strong IPM paper will demonstrate your strengths in observation, selfawareness, application of knowledge/theory, critical thinking, and decision making. You might also examine how your reflections and analysis on your work have changed over the course of your education. Reread any journals or papers that you might have written previously in your filed work and compare them to your reflections using the IPM during your internship. In your e-portfolio, consider reflecting on how your thoughts and analysis have evolved over time. In the space below, you might identify a few experiences you have had in your internship thus far that would be particularly interesting to think through using the Integrated Processing Model. Step 1: Gathering Objective Data from the Concrete Experience My first day at the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence (DCADV) was very eventful. My day started with getting reacquainted with my site supervisor, Mariann Kenville-Moore. The day consisted of discussing DCADV description, vision, mission statement, the coalition philosophy and goals, and its membership. I had an opportunity to review the DCADV bylawsthe DCADV is a non-profit corporation established under the laws of Delaware, incorporated in 1994. Also, I met with each staff member as they delivered their job title, a brief synopsis of their duties, and their contributions to the DCADV. Everyone was so gracious and receptive. I had an opportunity to review the DCADV Human Resources Policies and Procedures Handbook. This was is an environment of dignity and respect. Immediately I felt a part of the team. Step 2: Reflecting As I reflect on my experience with the DCADV I immediately go back to the many meetings with my site supervisor, Mariann Kenville-Moore. This was a perfect fit for me. All of my work experience is with the military and this afforded me to step completely outside of my comfort zone. Ms. Kenville-Moore did not dismiss my military experience; she embraced it and gave me the tools to further enhance my 20+ years with the military experience and to advance to the next level. There is life outside of Dover Air Force Base. Ms. Kenville-Moore was pleased with my policy brief to be used for advocacy and public awareness.

Step 3: Identifying Relevant Knowledge My Strengths Finder report as has a profound effect on my professional and personal life in this short period. I have referred to this and many other WilmU experiences over the last year. I have experienced growth and satisfaction. The report identified my top 5 themes being responsibility, belief, deliberative, connectedness, and relator. Responsibility: People who are especially talented in the Responsibility theme take psychological ownership of what they say they will do. They are committed to stable values such as honesty and loyalty Belief: People who are especially talented in the Belief theme have certain core values that are unchanging. Out of these values emerges a defined purpose for their life. Deliberative: People who are especially talented in the Deliberative theme are best described by the serious care they take in making decisions or choices. They anticipate the obstacles. Connectedness: People who are especially talented in the Connectedness theme have faith in the links between all things. They believe there are few coincidences and that almost every event has a reason. Relator: People who are especially talented in the Relator theme enjoy close relationships with others. They find deep satisfaction in working hard with friends to achieve a goal. Step 4: Examining and Reconciling Dissonance For this Ill refer to the Leadership Style Survey done in class. Trust meI immediately share my WilmU experiences with my supervisor. Dont get me wrong, we have a healthy supervisor subordinate relationship but things can be improved. My leadership style is participative while the style of my supervisor is authoritarian. I do understand there are and will be times when there is no time for discussion other than take care of this project and I need a response by close of business tomorrow. But what I have a problem with is when there is an attitude of mistakes were made but not by me and then there is an attempt to justify a bad decision. I have learned to reconcile dissonance with maintaining documentation. I now require major requests and expectations to be in writing thus eliminating any confusion or dissonance. Step 5: Articulating Learning Something else that proves to benefit serve well in my professional and personal life is the Communications Style: A Self-Assessment Exercise. I shared this with my day job supervisor and we compared to outcome. It was amazing where I scored low she scored high. As she statedwere a good match in an office of two. This is good to know. After this discovery I felt comfortable in sharing my Strengths Finder ReportI hope I dont live to regret this move later down the road.

Step 6: Developing a Plan With my course work I have gained firsthand knowledge of the human services field. My plan is to remain with the Federal Government. After I complete my requirements for Administration of Human Services program, my eventual goal is to become a program director at Dover Air Force Base. However, I am not eliminating any and all options within the Washington, DC area. I have grown during my time at WlimU and have realized that is okay to step outside my comfort zonethe water is fine. Whatever I do I am committed to furthering my education. I love to learn.

References Kiser, P. (2012). The Human Services Internship: Getting the most from your experience. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning.