^^ ASL blog ^^
Hello! ^.^
I wanted to tell you how I got the internship in Florida while I was in New York studying clinical psychology.
I had heard about how Walden School for the Deaf, which was located an hour outside of Boston, Massachusetts, was an excellent place to work. I was told that I will have both professional and personal growth there. I saw this as an opportunity to work there as an internship.
So, I asked a boss at that place about whether or not the position for summer internship is available, and the boss said I am able to work there. In fact, I was told that I am second in their top list for hiring. I became especially interested after the boss shared many positive things about this school.
For example, they mentioned that 90% of staff signed all the time. It was neat! Their primary focus was on deaf children and deaf adolescents with involvement of social worker, police, therapist, doctor, family, and etc. This is to ensure that their involvements in the lives of deaf children and adolescents increase the likelihood of success rate of behavior, better social skill, and consistent academic achievements. I think that is great, especially that parents of deaf children usually do not build relationship with these children.
Therefore, I was impressed with the philosophy of that school. The wage was great as well. The internship was not too far from Boston. I thought it was perfect opportunity.
Sure enough, the boss and I arranged to have an interview through videophone (VP). The boss emailed me with her availability of VP interview, and it was Tuesday that I responded with my preference to have an interview on Thursday.
When Thursday came, I was ready sitting in front of the VP and waiting to receive a call from the boss. However, she didn't call.
I decided to email her asking her whether or not we are supposed to have an interview through VP? She responded immediately, and I was surprised to learn that she hasn't received any email from me regarding VP interview appointment.
Then, I checked to see if my email was sent that day. It turned out that it was finally sent out only 2 minutes ago. I was quite puzzled by this. Because I sent it on Tuesday, email wasn't sent until only two minutes ago after speaking with the boss on Thursday.
Still, we rescheduled our VP interview. We finally had the interview.
Unfortunately, the VP wasn't exactly smooth as it should be. The videophone froze frequently. The boss told me that this is actually first time that VP froze. This made me wonder out of all people and at this time, VP happened to freeze on this very day I have the interview for internship. I began to wonder if this is related to God's will.
We kept trying to understand each other on VP, and it was quite difficult. As soon as the interview ended, I hanged up and sensed that something isn't right.
First, email wasn't sent promptly. Second, VP froze frequently. Third, I sensed something isn't right.
I decided to look for another job in case this promising job wasn't part of God's will.
I know a particular person named Alissa who lived in Florida, and she knew of a person who worked in psychology field. I was able to contact this person and asked whether or not he knows of any job related to psychology and deaf.
He then referred me to a boss of a home group for the Deaf. I asked this boss if she needs an extra staff in her group home. She was quite enthusiastic with the fact that I am interested in working with deaf clients.
I asked her if she wants to interview me, see my resume, or get my professional references? She said no and just come over here now. I was surprised.
She explained that her group home for the Deaf consists of hearing staff who know a little or none American Sign Language (ASL), which was frequent frustration for deaf clients who attempt to be heard and understood. In addition, having a deaf staff work will boost deaf clients' signs and communication skill.
I saw the need of having a deaf staff at the group home, so I understood why she wanted me to start work immediately.
I then consulted with God about which internship He wanted me to take.
Also, it was my dream to live in Florida. I eventually gave it up a long time ago. All of a sudden, I have this opportunity to live in Florida.
So, it was clearly that God's will is for me to have this internship in Florida despite of promising opportunity in Massachusetts.
Now, you know how I get this internship ^.^
It has been five weeks since I started my internship, and I now have five weeks left to go. So, I'm actually half way with my internship.
My typical internship schedule would be from 2:30pm to midnight, sometimes 12:30am. Those deaf clients attend a school that offered a program adult day training
and would get back home at 3:30pm. That's why I started working in the afternoon.
There are 4 deaf clients live here in this house, and the house is just like everyone else's house. There are office, kitchen, living, bedrooms, and bathroom.
We, staff (aka caregiver, are to encourage these clients to become independent. Some of the clients cannot be independent completely, but still others have the possibility of becoming independent. So, it is our job to change their negative behaviors (i.e., screaming, throwing things, hitting) to positive behavior that reflect appropriate adult behaviors.
Each client has his or her own behavior analyst who comes up with a plan for us, staff, to respond to either negative or positive behavior of each client in order to change their behavior into appropriate behavior.
We also help them to develop survival skill such as doing laundry, washing dishes, cleaning, etc.
That's what I have been doing for past five weeks.
I have been considering about getting a permanent job upon completion of the internship. I would like some job that would challenge me constantly because I want to learn something new. Beside, such job would come with better salary.
However, this job is what God led me. I am going to talk with Him to see if I should continue with this job or look for another job as soon as I complete this internship.
One thing has touched my heart was these deaf clients. You see, when I started working with them, I just do my duty to ensure they are living just fine. I eventually grow to care about them and want to see them to thrive into successful adults.
It is pretty difficult decision since I am the only deaf staff in this home group for the Deaf, and I would like to continue encouraging these clients with their ability to communicate and to know that they can do everything just like I.
At this moment, I am torn apart between this job and new job. I am gonna talk with God to see what I can do.
Well, that's all I have to share about my internship. So, if you are curious to know more about my internship. You can go ahead and ask me.
So, I will see you later!
Azael
