Reflection
Professional Reflection
My internship this semester in the Walton College of Business Undergraduate Programs Office was great. This was my second consecutive semester interning in that office. I learned more information over the course of nine months than I ever expected. My supervisor made sure I received the hands-on experience in order to be successful and translate my experience to my new job.
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Academic Advising- This was my favorite part of my internship. I loved having the opportunity to advise students on classes for the coming semesters or talking to them about their academic plan. I learned how to do many types of advising appointments i.e. four semester plans, upper-level business students advising appointments, senior graduation checks, international students, and double majors. Every day and every week of the Spring semester, I lead three to four advising appointments daily. Because of the amount of experience I was receiving, I became more and more confident in my self and my ability to be an effective advisor. This hands-on experience is going to translate and help me be successful at my first professional job.
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Retention- I learned about retention efforts within the Walton College of Business, as well. In the Fall of 2020, I was introduced to retention and was able to continue that experience in Spring 2021. I had the opportunity to continue to create retention newsletters that were sent out to students on academic probation at different times in the semester reminding them of their educational resources on campus and providing a supportive message. These newsletters, or nudges, proved effective because students reached out to the office to set up appointments to talk about their academic performance and progression.
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Business Living Learning Community- I enjoyed learning a new functional area in housing, as well. I saw firsthand the outcomes of freshmen being apart of a living learning community. They have several classes together where they can form study groups; they all live in one of two dorms on the same floor and room together; and they attend weekly seminars where we prepare educational, but interactive events for them to be successful college students. Also, I made myself available to the students if they ever had questions about academics or co-curriculars. Because of the experience I received working with the BLLC over the academic year, I am confident in how to interact with freshmen students and how to meet them where they are at.
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Overall, this internship exceeded my expectations. I learned so much information that will be useful in any aspect of higher education. Academic advising is a great field with so many opportunities to support students, work with students, and teach students. I am so excited to continue in the field of academic advising while having the opportunity to continue to meet with students daily.
Personal Reflection
Throughout this semester and the entire academic year, I learned a lot about myself that will be useful in the years to come. First, I learned that I am more detail-orientated than I thought. I am very meticulous, and when it came to advising students, I always triple checked my work and ensured I was over-prepared for meeting with students. In addition, I learned that I actually do know a lot regarding working with students and advising them academically; I just have to have the confidence in myself and in the knowledge I already possess. In Spring 2021, my confidence level boosted drastically. I became more confident in myself and my ability to be an effective advisor. This trait is imperative to have when working with students. Higher education professionals must have that level of confidence when directing students and working with them through their life obstacles. Lastly, I learned that I am a valuable professional because I have the ability to bridge the gap between student affairs and academic affairs. Because of my internship and my graduate assistantship in the Fraternity and Sorority Life, I am able to work with students in more than one capacity.