LINK internships are an opportunity for Juniors to have 90 hours within three weeks of experience interning or shadowing a real world career path. Internships are organised during the first Semester and a half of the school year through the Business, Education Connection platform. This includes reaching out to potential mentors and soaking up information from professionals so that we can have a deeper understanding about different careers that might interest us. Aptitude tests and interest surveys are taken so that we might have a better idea of what we want to integrate ourselves in for three weeks. While in the internship, each student is responsible for creating a project that in some way gives back to the program, business or facility in some way.
"Our mission is to provide innovative, exceptional healthcare that patients recommend, physicians prefer, and employees are proud of" ASH is a local, physician owned hospital, meaning they are for profit, and do not accept government funds or donations.
My LINK Project
I found it challenging at first to decide on a project for my internship because I was working inside a hospital where it can be difficult to give back as a high school student without giving money or some sort of upgraded technology of some sort. Therefor instead of giving to the facility, I took what they already had: experience- and turned it into something the public and the employees could view and appreciate. My project consisted of first interviewing over 20 employees, asking questions such as "why did you initially choose to go into the medical field?", "Why ASH of any hospital?", and "How has making those decisions impacted you since?" I took a photo of each employee and recorded their responses using a camera recorder and typing them up in a document. Using those materials, I put together a poster that could be placed in the back of the hospital for employees to see, and collage of others in the very front of the hospital for patients to view. I thought that it would give a more welcoming and open feel to the hospital and create more credibility and connection between the patients and their caregivers.
Reflection
Beginning my LINK internship, it was important that I was patient and very dialed in to what was going on all the time in the hospital. Most of the time I was asking questions and listening to ASH employees describe in great detail what their job consisted of or what they were doing in the moment. Curiosity therefor was critical. In any life situation it is, but since I was there to soak up as much information as possible, it was important for me to wonder about everything going on.
One of the greatest skills that I developed was my ability to learn things on the spot. Often times in class at school I am not always mentally present because I know I can make up work and re-read things later. In the hospital everything has a quicker pace to it and there isn't time to go back and read the handbook on how to stitch up an open wound when someone is on the operating table. I learned to listen the first time when people explain things to me so that I can apply their advice or directions moments later. This may seem like a simple and baseline skill to have, but I have always struggled with staying focused and aware of the present moment. I also learned that promptness and responsibility is crucial in the real world. In high school, there are deadlines and bell schedules- but there aren't any real consequences for not following through with them. In the hospital I learned, there is no room for being late or for making any sort of detrimental mistake when caring for a patient.
I went into my LINK internship feeling very intimidated and insecure about myself and my abilities. It sounded amazing, but also far above my education level and work ethic. As the weeks went on, I became more confident in myself and was't as afraid to ask questions and speak up. I learned that I can learn anything as long as I ask the right questions and work hard to nail it in place. Because of the uncomfortable and sticky situations I was put in, I had to become bold and confident: if not, I wouldn't have made it through the entire three weeks.
Shadowing many different departments helped more than myself. By asking questions and having everything vocally explained to me, the employees were able to review what they knew which is important when solidifying anything. "See one, do one, teach one" is what one of the doctors said while describing how to dissect the cataracts out of an eye. While it was certainly more consumption on my part than the hospital, high schoolers in general bring a different kind of energy and perspective on things. I was insightful and brought positive energy to the hospital. Continuing this internship opportunity is very important for future high schoolers because it allows them to filter through what they do and do not enjoy and like in the medical field. High schoolers today will be the medical professionals many years from now after all.
As stated before, this internship has increased my self confidence in the working world. The medical field seems to be a very complex path to take which makes most other jobs and careers a little less daunting. A few days ago, I walked into a job interview with confidence and determination that I have not had in the past. The real world helped me to understand that I have more to offer than I tell myself. This realization helped me to get hired at this new job. Additionally, I know now that I want to go into the medical field. Originally I was skeptical and unsure about the likelihood of me having any interest in it, but the hospital proved me wrong. I want to look into the career of a paramedic, flight nurse or ER doctor. I also want to make sure to attend a college with a pre-med program.