Sarah Rankin

Responsibilities

Shadowing and collaborating with Adult Protective and Community Workers (APCW), learning the processes of the position and of colleagues in other departments. Gaining knowledge of Missouri policies towards individuals with disabilities over 18 and any adult over 60 who are in need of services. Helping individuals find resources to fit individual needs based on assessments and interviews.

Accomplishments

My greatest accomplishment is my feeling of accomplishment success throughout the weeks. I have been accepted by my supervisor and her coworker as part of the team, and they have treated me with respect and equality, even though I am an intern. This acceptance has helped me be more comfortable and become part of the team to get the job done.

What advice would you give?

Find your internship based on what you are comfortable with doing, yet one that is outside of your comfort zone. It's a double-edged sword. You need to go outside of your comfort zone to learn if that's a field you would consider working in, because that is the point of the internship. However, you also need to intern somewhere that you are comfortable with, or else the experience is completely lost in being timid towards the work you are supposed to do.