In my first internship, ever, I have been trying my best to go with the flow and understand the ways that others operate. This has been a challenge. I have been frustrated. Very frustrated.
Because of my past experience and my current assistantship at UA, I decided to go with a smaller school and eventually chose the University of South Carolina Upstate. Just to give a brief background of the school, it was established in the 1960s to primarily serve the growing need for nurses in the area and eventually developed into an institution with many more programs and opportunities. The student population sits at approximately 6,000 which is one of the main reasons I wanted to work at this institution over the summer - it would give me a diverse experience different than the colossal student body at UA and a tighter niche Residence Life Department to get to know. The campus is very different from anything I have ever seen. The buildings are spread out to a degree with sprawling wilderness and trails laid out to break up the roads which provides a very scenic feel. I have become very used to the way I did things at Alabama and how there always seemed to be a person solely responsible for a single process or perhaps a few, but at Upstate, the individuals in the housing department wear more hats than your could buy at the Lids store in a mall. I would say, this summer has really challenged me because it is the first time I have truly been on my own without friends or family close and although I have had opportunities to see them briefly, it has been very eye opening as to what it is like to be on my own. I share this because, after I graduate, my goal is to move to a school on the west coast where I don’t have virtually any relatives or friends close by. For me, this internship has been like a test run for what my future could potentially be like. There have been times when it’s been difficult, but I think it’s all been worth it. My biggest advice for the incoming students: I know you have some time, but when you choose your internship, utilize the experience in some way to test out your future. Whether you’re trying to find out which institution type fits you best or which side of the country you want to live on, use the experience for more than just housing or orientation knowledge. Find some way to let it affect YOU. I am happy to be back at UA - it has been good to come back to a familiar routine, familiar faces, and a familiar campus. But having to stretch my muscles and learn new ways to communicate and work at a different campus has definitely given me a new perspective and appreciation for my role at UA and for the students that I try to help on a daily basis. Roll Tide, Y’all - Jordan Dedrick
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