September 11, 2016
Prompt: Describe the first week of your internship in detail, including the field you are working in, how you felt, what you look forward to, and what you expect to get out of this internship.
Internship Puppy and More
The moment I stepped through the front door of the Ruiz Law Firm, I was met by a tiny ball of black and white fur bounding towards me. I stumbled in my heels that were too small for me as I dropped my purse in order to deal with the puppy that was attacking me with pure affection. This was my first encounter with Lexi, my mentor’s husky puppy who I call the “internship puppy” and is at the office all day. But despite my love for puppies, Lexi is not even the best part of my internship. Although I was absolutely terrified going into my first day- worried I would disappoint my mentor, or that I was not cut out for the field- the people in the office made me feel comfortable immediately. It is their friendliness and warm personalities that put me at ease as I pull out enormous files to sort through; it is their sarcasm and humor that made my task of translating police reports from Spanish to English just a little bit less scary. I still feel nervous about my upending tasks for the day and I am nervous about not living up to pre-set expectations. However, I know I will learn so much from this internship. I hope to learn about the intricacies of law, especially about the legalization process, and because my mentor is putting me in charge of his social media platforms, I hope to learn how to master those, too. Hopefully, my Spanish will improve, too! Overall, I look forward to hearing the rapid-fire Spanish shouted from room to room in the office; I look forward to hearing the legal jargon that I never understand (in Spanish nor English); I look forward to reading case files of ethnically eclectic clients trying to become legal U.S. citizens; and of course, I look forward to taking Lexi out on walks out of the office (my newly designated task).
Prompt: Describe the first week of your internship in detail, including the field you are working in, how you felt, what you look forward to, and what you expect to get out of this internship.
Internship Puppy and More
The moment I stepped through the front door of the Ruiz Law Firm, I was met by a tiny ball of black and white fur bounding towards me. I stumbled in my heels that were too small for me as I dropped my purse in order to deal with the puppy that was attacking me with pure affection. This was my first encounter with Lexi, my mentor’s husky puppy who I call the “internship puppy” and is at the office all day. But despite my love for puppies, Lexi is not even the best part of my internship. Although I was absolutely terrified going into my first day- worried I would disappoint my mentor, or that I was not cut out for the field- the people in the office made me feel comfortable immediately. It is their friendliness and warm personalities that put me at ease as I pull out enormous files to sort through; it is their sarcasm and humor that made my task of translating police reports from Spanish to English just a little bit less scary. I still feel nervous about my upending tasks for the day and I am nervous about not living up to pre-set expectations. However, I know I will learn so much from this internship. I hope to learn about the intricacies of law, especially about the legalization process, and because my mentor is putting me in charge of his social media platforms, I hope to learn how to master those, too. Hopefully, my Spanish will improve, too! Overall, I look forward to hearing the rapid-fire Spanish shouted from room to room in the office; I look forward to hearing the legal jargon that I never understand (in Spanish nor English); I look forward to reading case files of ethnically eclectic clients trying to become legal U.S. citizens; and of course, I look forward to taking Lexi out on walks out of the office (my newly designated task).
September 18, 2016
Prompt: Explain how you have effectively began building relationship(s) or networked with the people at your internship site. What is the one best lesson you have learned in your internship so far? Be specific.
What Do You Bring to the Table?
Everyone brings a special something to the table, both professionally and socially, in the workplace, as I have learned in my internship. There are a total of 5 people in Ruiz Law office (not including Lexi the puppy) and while it is a small number, it is a lively place to spend my afternoons. With their very different personalities, I have been able to observe from a distance how Monique, Stephanie, Roger, and Alberto all interact with one another. I have had to spend time with all of them one-on-one, and from these lessons about how to work the printer or how to organize case files, I have able to gauge their personalities and how best to get along with them. Of course, it is the more personal conversations about their children and their personal history with the office that gives me insight into the real people running this office, and it is these conversations that allow me to create friendly relationships with them. I also love asking questions- about how they got to the Ruiz Law Firm, about their opinions on certain issues, about with who they feel most comfortable in the office- in order to understand the work dynamic. Monique, Stephanie, and Roger have all felt comfortable enough to tell me little snippets about their life and how they feel about their coworkers- it makes the internship that much more interesting to both engage in and watch from afar. Ultimately, I have been able to see how the four people at my internship work around each other and with each other; their solid attempts of including me have made me feel incredible welcomed. Monique brings the sass, Stephanie brings the drive, Roger brings the conversation, and Alberto brings the business; together, they get the job done.
Prompt: Explain how you have effectively began building relationship(s) or networked with the people at your internship site. What is the one best lesson you have learned in your internship so far? Be specific.
What Do You Bring to the Table?
Everyone brings a special something to the table, both professionally and socially, in the workplace, as I have learned in my internship. There are a total of 5 people in Ruiz Law office (not including Lexi the puppy) and while it is a small number, it is a lively place to spend my afternoons. With their very different personalities, I have been able to observe from a distance how Monique, Stephanie, Roger, and Alberto all interact with one another. I have had to spend time with all of them one-on-one, and from these lessons about how to work the printer or how to organize case files, I have able to gauge their personalities and how best to get along with them. Of course, it is the more personal conversations about their children and their personal history with the office that gives me insight into the real people running this office, and it is these conversations that allow me to create friendly relationships with them. I also love asking questions- about how they got to the Ruiz Law Firm, about their opinions on certain issues, about with who they feel most comfortable in the office- in order to understand the work dynamic. Monique, Stephanie, and Roger have all felt comfortable enough to tell me little snippets about their life and how they feel about their coworkers- it makes the internship that much more interesting to both engage in and watch from afar. Ultimately, I have been able to see how the four people at my internship work around each other and with each other; their solid attempts of including me have made me feel incredible welcomed. Monique brings the sass, Stephanie brings the drive, Roger brings the conversation, and Alberto brings the business; together, they get the job done.
September 25, 2016
Prompt: How does this internship relate to your long-term education or career goals? Do you need to change your long-term goals as the result of your experience? If so, what needs to change and what are your next steps?
Step 1: Read the Papers
I want to work in international relations, specifically with either educational reform or refugees. My internship is the first step to understanding the refugee crises spanning the globe, getting me in touch with the recurring theme: immigration. Mentoring at an immigration law firm, I get to read case files about people coming from various regions, most commonly Latin America, for various reasons, most commonly for a better life. I am able to better understand the process, with all its complexities and obstacles, of immigration and how astoundingly difficult it is for one person to get from one country to another. If anything, my mentorship makes me want to work in immigration even more as I sift through documents upon documents about a Honduran woman who is trying to obtain a residency in the United States to support her kids back home. To better prepare me for this potential career in immigration work, I will pay more attention to the details of my mentor’s work. I will be delicate with the confidential papers in-between my fingers that can determine whether or not a family of four from Guatemala can stay in the United States after finally crossing the wretched border. I will sort through the monstrous piles of folders set on my desk, sift through the medical records, translate the police records, and note any questions I have about a case – because this is step one in my work in immigration.
Prompt: How does this internship relate to your long-term education or career goals? Do you need to change your long-term goals as the result of your experience? If so, what needs to change and what are your next steps?
Step 1: Read the Papers
I want to work in international relations, specifically with either educational reform or refugees. My internship is the first step to understanding the refugee crises spanning the globe, getting me in touch with the recurring theme: immigration. Mentoring at an immigration law firm, I get to read case files about people coming from various regions, most commonly Latin America, for various reasons, most commonly for a better life. I am able to better understand the process, with all its complexities and obstacles, of immigration and how astoundingly difficult it is for one person to get from one country to another. If anything, my mentorship makes me want to work in immigration even more as I sift through documents upon documents about a Honduran woman who is trying to obtain a residency in the United States to support her kids back home. To better prepare me for this potential career in immigration work, I will pay more attention to the details of my mentor’s work. I will be delicate with the confidential papers in-between my fingers that can determine whether or not a family of four from Guatemala can stay in the United States after finally crossing the wretched border. I will sort through the monstrous piles of folders set on my desk, sift through the medical records, translate the police records, and note any questions I have about a case – because this is step one in my work in immigration.
October 2, 2016
Prompt: At this point, you should have discussed your final product for your presentation with your mentor. Explain in detail your final product, what roadblocks you have faced (if any) and what you need to do to complete this product in order to be ready for your final presentation.
Products of Public Relations
For my final product, my mentor would like for me to make a large multi-faceted advertisement for the law firm. It will include a tri-fold board full of information about the law firm, which will also be my presentation platform for the Senior Expo, as well as a reflection about my time with the firm. In addition, I will be working on a video for the firm that will contain testimonials from past clients and a monologue from Mr. Ruiz himself. In other works, I am also maintaining the firm’s social media platforms (including Facebook and the official website) and the new pages will be featured in my presentation. Mr. Ruiz is having me focus on the public relations and social media sides of the law firm’s work, and these products will highlight my time perfectly. So far, roadblocks I have faced include time constraints and miscommunications about my work. It’s often difficult to have perfectly outlined instructions about what I should be working on in the office because Mr. Ruiz is not often there. But with weekly meetings, it has become a solid plan. To complete the product, I will have to contact the firm’s past clients and see who will be willing to participate in the advertising video. I will also have to spend a lot of time improving the Facebook page and the firm’s website (and learn how to do these things). But I’m looking forward to it all!
Prompt: At this point, you should have discussed your final product for your presentation with your mentor. Explain in detail your final product, what roadblocks you have faced (if any) and what you need to do to complete this product in order to be ready for your final presentation.
Products of Public Relations
For my final product, my mentor would like for me to make a large multi-faceted advertisement for the law firm. It will include a tri-fold board full of information about the law firm, which will also be my presentation platform for the Senior Expo, as well as a reflection about my time with the firm. In addition, I will be working on a video for the firm that will contain testimonials from past clients and a monologue from Mr. Ruiz himself. In other works, I am also maintaining the firm’s social media platforms (including Facebook and the official website) and the new pages will be featured in my presentation. Mr. Ruiz is having me focus on the public relations and social media sides of the law firm’s work, and these products will highlight my time perfectly. So far, roadblocks I have faced include time constraints and miscommunications about my work. It’s often difficult to have perfectly outlined instructions about what I should be working on in the office because Mr. Ruiz is not often there. But with weekly meetings, it has become a solid plan. To complete the product, I will have to contact the firm’s past clients and see who will be willing to participate in the advertising video. I will also have to spend a lot of time improving the Facebook page and the firm’s website (and learn how to do these things). But I’m looking forward to it all!
October 8, 2016
Prompt: What new skills have you learned since beginning your experience? What types of tasks did you discover that you enjoy or excel at completing? What tasks are less attractive or fulfilling? What knowledge and skills did you gain and how do you plan on applying these skills in the future?
Files and Questions
My main day-to-day job at the office is filing- and it’s actually more complicated than one may think. For the Ruiz law firm, files are indescribably integral to the work they do, containing everything from client contact information to documented legal processes. Not surprisingly, I enjoy filing. It’s exciting because I get to read the case files of people from various different countries, including Guatemala and Honduras, all of whom are trying to get to or stay in the United States for their own reasons. In fact, last week I had to put together the case file, which includes medical records and personal statements, of a girl taken from a Middle Eastern refugee camp. Less exciting tasks that I have at the office include inputting contact information of clients into the large Excel sheet (but it’s good to have the practice). A simple skill that I have gained is asking questions. I often become too nervous to ask questions, in fear of coming off annoying or idiotic. However, I am learning in this internship that it’s not only important to ask for clarification when you need it, but it also shows inquisitiveness and attention. To be more successful in my future endeavors, I will ask questions about anything and everything that comes to mind- even if it sounds ludicrous in my head. I can’t learn without wondering!
Prompt: What new skills have you learned since beginning your experience? What types of tasks did you discover that you enjoy or excel at completing? What tasks are less attractive or fulfilling? What knowledge and skills did you gain and how do you plan on applying these skills in the future?
Files and Questions
My main day-to-day job at the office is filing- and it’s actually more complicated than one may think. For the Ruiz law firm, files are indescribably integral to the work they do, containing everything from client contact information to documented legal processes. Not surprisingly, I enjoy filing. It’s exciting because I get to read the case files of people from various different countries, including Guatemala and Honduras, all of whom are trying to get to or stay in the United States for their own reasons. In fact, last week I had to put together the case file, which includes medical records and personal statements, of a girl taken from a Middle Eastern refugee camp. Less exciting tasks that I have at the office include inputting contact information of clients into the large Excel sheet (but it’s good to have the practice). A simple skill that I have gained is asking questions. I often become too nervous to ask questions, in fear of coming off annoying or idiotic. However, I am learning in this internship that it’s not only important to ask for clarification when you need it, but it also shows inquisitiveness and attention. To be more successful in my future endeavors, I will ask questions about anything and everything that comes to mind- even if it sounds ludicrous in my head. I can’t learn without wondering!
October 17, 2016
Prompt: As your internship draws to a close, what about your internship was the most surprising to you (i.e, what did you least expect going into this experience) and what lessons can you draw from this? What, if any, attitudes or beliefs changed for you as a result of your internship? Finally, did this internship provide you with any insights that you had not anticipated? Explain why or why not.
Tell Me the Truth
One of the most surprising things I’ve learned from my mentorship, that continues to surprise me even now, is the intricacies of immigration and immigration law. While I was well aware of the floods of people trying to come into the U.S. from a variety of countries for different reasons and through eclectic means, I never truly realized how difficult the process is. There is an immense amount of paperwork for every case, no matter the situation, and I often worry if law fees and payments hinder many immigrants from obtaining the documents or status they need to reach or remain in this country. From this, I am able to understand how fortunate I am, and how fortunate even my mother was to be able to successfully settle into the States- despite her enormous adversities. My internship thus far has taught me to understand what I, and others, have and do not have, and the roles we all play in each others’ lives. Professionally, I have learned that assertiveness is the key aspect in being successful. Ask questions, speak confidently, make yourself seen, heard, and known- all important lessons that I plan to take with me in my future endeavors. Unanticipated has been the hard truths in business and the business world. I have been told things that I don’t often get told- lessons that I definitely needed to hear. To be told the truth about my strengths and weaknesses, and to not just be showered in compliments, is something that both shook me and awakened me. I’m grateful for this unique exposure to the details of business- including advertisement, marketing, and organization- and the challenge of setting yourself apart in the real world.
Prompt: As your internship draws to a close, what about your internship was the most surprising to you (i.e, what did you least expect going into this experience) and what lessons can you draw from this? What, if any, attitudes or beliefs changed for you as a result of your internship? Finally, did this internship provide you with any insights that you had not anticipated? Explain why or why not.
Tell Me the Truth
One of the most surprising things I’ve learned from my mentorship, that continues to surprise me even now, is the intricacies of immigration and immigration law. While I was well aware of the floods of people trying to come into the U.S. from a variety of countries for different reasons and through eclectic means, I never truly realized how difficult the process is. There is an immense amount of paperwork for every case, no matter the situation, and I often worry if law fees and payments hinder many immigrants from obtaining the documents or status they need to reach or remain in this country. From this, I am able to understand how fortunate I am, and how fortunate even my mother was to be able to successfully settle into the States- despite her enormous adversities. My internship thus far has taught me to understand what I, and others, have and do not have, and the roles we all play in each others’ lives. Professionally, I have learned that assertiveness is the key aspect in being successful. Ask questions, speak confidently, make yourself seen, heard, and known- all important lessons that I plan to take with me in my future endeavors. Unanticipated has been the hard truths in business and the business world. I have been told things that I don’t often get told- lessons that I definitely needed to hear. To be told the truth about my strengths and weaknesses, and to not just be showered in compliments, is something that both shook me and awakened me. I’m grateful for this unique exposure to the details of business- including advertisement, marketing, and organization- and the challenge of setting yourself apart in the real world.