Miah Manker

Responsibilities

An internship at the Boys and Girls Club is an opportunity to gain hands-on experience working with children and youth in a safe and supportive environment. As an intern, you will work alongside experienced staff members to develop and implement programs that promote the physical, emotional, and intellectual development of children and youth. Your responsibilities may include planning and leading activities such as sports, games, arts and crafts, and educational workshops. You may also help with administrative tasks such as maintaining records and communicating with parents and guardians.

Accomplishments

One accomplishment would be successfully implementing a program or activity that positively impacted the children and youth at the club. This could involve developing and executing a new program, improving an existing program, or creating a special event that engages and excites the participants. Another accomplishment would be building meaningful relationships with the children and youth at the club, providing a positive role model for them, and being someone they can trust and rely on. This could involve showing up consistently, actively engaging with the participants, and being a source of encouragement and support for them.

Learning experience

Working with low-income children can be a challenging but rewarding experience. One lesson that is often learned is the importance of understanding and being sensitive to the unique challenges and circumstances that these children and their families may be facing. Another lesson that I learned was the importance of building relationships based on trust and respect. Many low-income children may come from families that have experienced trauma, discrimination, and other challenges, and it is important to approach them with sensitivity and empathy.

What advice would you give?

Develop strong communication skills: Effective communication is a critical skill in the human services field. Whether you are working with clients, colleagues, or supervisors, the ability to listen actively and communicate clearly and empathetically is essential. Gain hands-on experience: Seek out opportunities to gain practical experience in the human services field, such as internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs. This will give you a chance to apply what you've learned in the classroom to real-world situations and build your skills and knowledge.