Lindsey Fox

Summer 2009

Unpaid Internship

I found this internship through word of mouth. I heard of The Healing Place of Wake County through friends and professors. I googled it to find out more information about the agency and discovered I knew someone who worked there. I talked to her and she helped me connect with the right people and also gave a personal reference regarding my work ethic. This agency usually only allows graduate students to complete internships there but I was approved and felt very lucky. My networking and contacts paid off!

I have learned so much about myself and others during this internship! I've gained a newfound respect for people who have problems with addiction as they work their path to recovery. Their willingness to live sober lives is incomparable to anything I've ever seen before. My internship consists of being the basic assistant for the entire staff. I am allowed to sit in on therapy sessions, the Twelve Step program, and AA meetings. I also work with the residents to complete basic tasks (breakfast/lunch/dinner prep, etc.), sort out and organize donations, plan events for fundraisers, and more. The best thing about my days is being a part of the women's change… seeing their willingness to live better lives through self-assessment and attitude and behavioral adjustments. I love helping them realize there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It's a good feeling to see them have an epiphany and follow through with a sincere lifestyle change.

Expand your mind and don't limit yourself to just one type of internship. This is my second internship since I have been at UNCG and the only common interval between the two is ME! It's good to keep your options open because even if you don't love your internship experience, you will learn what you don't like which will narrow the right career path suitable for your personal needs in the future.

<--Back to Internship Spotlight Main Page