Frank Vue
Intern: Boys & Girls Club
October 24, 2008
Internship Reflection
I interned at the Boys & Girls Club on September 9, 2008. This club was built to provide services, promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence. The club I interned at ranged from 10-15 employees. My supervisor Aqustin Arellaro positioned me as a homework tutor, computer, and game room supervisor.
Everyday starting at 3:00 to 4:00 the club have a special hour which is called Power Hour. Power hour is when all club members have to work on their homework from school. I participate along with other employees and help members who need help with their work. For example a member who does not know a problem to a math question gave me the opportunity to teach the member. When positioned as the computer room supervisor I had to monitor the children’s computer activities such as web surfing and printing uses. On a daily basis the members usually surf the web and I have to constantly monitor for any internet abuse such as pornography, violent games, and video streaming sites which the club prohibits. As a game room supervisor I helped monitor the game room and organized the games such as the pool sets, game boards, ect.
While interning I interacted and worked with many other employees at the club. New Tech prepared me very well for situations such as this. My experiences with Project Learning Base have enabled me to be more confident and allow me to work well with others. PBEL’s and the Boys & Girls Club’s methods are somewhat similar. Prior to working at the club I had to sign a contract the same as PBEL. In the contract I had to choose when I wanted to work and what position I desire. I was placed to work with different employees from time to time. I worked well with some and some did not work well with me. While working alongside I was very polite and remained professional at all times.
The only technology I encountered was computers. I did not use computers I only supervised the computer room. I did not introduce any technology to the company that they had no previously used.
Working with kids is a lot different than working with my peers in school. The learning outcomes I could only tie with my intern is critical thinking, oral proficiency, collaboration, Citizen and Ethics. Dealing with kids I had to thinking quick and straight. For example when I had to help a 6 grader do her math I had to know how to solve the problem and figured out a way how to teach her. Oral proficiency, some kids did not speak English very well so I had to adapt the way how they talked and make them understand me. I worked very well with other employees. I listened to what they directed me to do and did it quickly. I never argued or had any conflicts with any of them therefore I collaborated very well with them. My colleagues complimented me on how I worked. I was very reliable and always did the little things such as picking up trash and organizing anything that seemed unparticular. My intern was not intellectually challenging but more of a socially challenged. I was allowed to use my own initiative sometimes. I would recommend to any student who would like to intern at the Boys & Girls Club to intern there and have a enjoyable experience like I did.
