Michael King

Responsibilities

During my internship, I mainly shadowed probation officers during their daily responsibilities. I sat in on client interviews, made collateral phone calls, and helped facilitate group sessions like ACTIVE. I also observed how officers verified employment and housing situations and how they managed their caseloads overall.

Accomplishments

One of my biggest accomplishments was building meaningful connections with the people I worked with. The staff were welcoming, and I really appreciated the chance to learn from them. Having those positive relationships made the experience more enjoyable and gave me a support system while learning on the job.

Learning experience

The biggest lesson I learned is that you can't always take what people say at face value—you need to verify facts and remain objective. People come from all different backgrounds and experiences, and it's important to be professional while staying grounded in the truth. I also learned how important it is to separate your personal feelings from the work.

What advice would you give?

Don’t stress if you realize the internship isn’t what you thought it would be. Internships are meant to help you figure out what you want—and don’t want—in a career. It’s okay if it’s not the perfect fit. Use it as a way to learn more about yourself and what direction you actually want to go in.