Siona Fitzhugh

Major: Child, Adult, and Family Services
Minor/option/emphasis: CHFS-Adult/Family Programs
Company/Organization: Polk County Crisis and Advocacy Services
Destination: Des Moines, IA
Timeframe: Spring
Advisor/Coordinator Email: enloe@iastate.edu

Responsibilities

We provide a free and confidential service advocating for sexual assault and violent crime survivors and their families. We go out on sexual assault and homicide calls as well as attend trials, depositions, county attorney meetings, mediations, detective meetings and appointments at the CPC for child survivors.

Accomplishments

My greatest accomplishment from this experience was just learning how to step outside of my comfort zone. Communicating with and getting to know the full time advocates was something I knew would be a challenge for me, but everyday I took on the challenge. I also knew that I would see many situations that made me emotional and uncomfortable and this internship has helped me to put my comfort aside and be there for someone else, in these cases the survivors and/or their families.

What advice would you give?

My advice for other students would be, no matter what or where your internship is, ignore your comfort zone and get the most out of your experience. You can only experience so much if you do only what you are comfortable with.

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