Re: Reflection Question 4- Due 7/18

#35

Muhibur?

Going into my internship, I was most surprised by the lack of organization within my site whether it was regarding the manner in which we completed tasks or the way in which the tasks were delegated to the interns. There seemed to be confusion at all times. However, I was able to take lots of positives from this experience. It taught me how to promptly deal with issues that may arise from time to time and ask for help along the way. Working in any business environment requires team work in order to be successful. More so with non-profits because they are already understaffed and underfunded. I was able to learn that it takes a collective effort from every single person in the organization, even those who are in charge, in order to make the work environment enjoyable. That is something that my internship site failed to deliver and often times the work put in by interns went unnoticed. Moving forward, I hope to better utilize my skills with the help of many lessons I have learned from my past experiences which will allow me to work more efficiently.

Re: Reflection Question 4- Due 7/18

#34

Looking back now at my experience, I realized so much has surprised me. I didn’t realize the level of work I had to deliver for a very picky supervisor. At first I was frustrated but then I realized it was all an important lesson. Dealing with picky people is going to be vital in any job but especially in marketing. Marketing collateral is all subjective to the persons approval. I learned to work with the director but also to voice my opinions. Another thing that surprised me is the level of passion I had for immigration reform. This prompted me a little more about what I wanted to do with my life. I spoke to the director and other people in the office and more and more I discover that this is what I need to do. Right now, I am heavily considering going to law school in the future.?

Re: Reflection Question 3- Due 7/11

#33

开云体育

The culture/environment of my work site is very disorganized however, I had to look past that and work and contribute in any way I can. It was sometimes very tough to assist others and work because of the lack of communication within the working environment. Many days I was confused on what to work on and whether my work was beneficial at all. Even though it was difficult to communicate and get things done, I still went out of my way to assist others by reaching out to other organizations that could better help assist the people that were in need. Many interns just like me had trouble with the supervisor but it was pleasing to know we were all on the same boat, so we interns helped each other when some of us had no clue what was going on.?

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On Jul 11, 2019, at 8:19 AM, Muhib <muhib666@...> wrote:

Lack of communication and disorganization are the two major things that come to mind when I think of the culture/environment of my work site. Every intern on the site including myself at times, is confused or not sure what exactly we are doing or what this organization even stands for. For the past weeks, all we’ve been doing is networking but it is starting to seem like more of a personal gain than anything at an organizational level. I definitely do not feel like a valued team member but rather an intern that is easily replaceable. The environment in which we work in is far from engaging and that makes it really difficult to focus and do the tasks at hand. At times it just feels like even my supervisor has no clue what she is doing other than just “networking.”?

Re: Reflection Question 4- Due 7/18

#32

Like Selena, I was also surprised with the leniency I was shown from the very first day I walked into the organization. From the beginning, I was trusted to write grants and secure essential funding for the organization, with little direction being given to me. However, I took this as a learning experience and really wanted to show the people I work with what I could accomplish. While some days are more difficult than others when it comes to being focused and mentally present in my work, being entrusted with such a big responsibility motivates me more often than not to put as much effort into my work as I possibly can.

Re: Reflection Question 3- Due 7/11

#31

The culture at MCOHA fits what I consider my ideal employee. Everyone is always friendly and helpful and always welcoming. It's serious in that everyone has a lot of work to do and gets it done, but are also not afraid to ask other coworkers for help. On the other hand, it is also a very relaxed atmosphere where people in between working are joking around and catching up with each other, sharing stories too. I think it is really due to the fact that most of the people that work there are hispanic/latino and we all share a common culture that helps us feel more connected to each other.

Re: Reflection Question 4- Due 7/18

#30

The most surprising thing about my internship is probably realizing how understaffed NGOs are. It was not really a shocker because most NGOs are understaffed and underfunded but it is still surprising to see how much doing one thing that to me seems small actually is very important for the organization. This really shows that I can never be frustrated or think that the work that I am doing doesn't mean anything. It proves how many small gears play a role in how a small organization can run and its efficiency.

Re: Reflection Question 4- Due 7/18

#29

As a whole, my internship is what I expected it would be in terms of both my work and the environment. I would say the most surprising aspect of my internship is how friendly the staff is and how well we get along. At my previous internship, my supervisor and I were not very close and we typically did not make conversation while in the office. However, one of my favorite things about Holiday Express is how friendly and welcoming each of the staff members and volunteers are, which makes work much more pleasant. The biggest takeaway from this is how important it is to build relationships with your coworkers and how that can positively impact your work.

Re: Reflection Question 4- Due 7/18

#28

I probably least expected the amount of freedom I would have at this internship, as well as the amount I would be trusted with right off the bat. For example, finding venues, doing social media, finding co-sponsors for events, etc. I learned how to work independently and think for myself rather than just follow instructions to get a task done. I also was surprised with what I was allowed to sit in on (ex. survivor calls, conferences, legal clinics). From this, I learned the day-to-day in a non-profit really well.

Reflection Question 4- Due 7/18

#27

What about your internship is the most surprising to you (i.e., what did you least expect going into the experience) and what lesson(s) can you draw from this?

Re: Reflection Question 3- Due 7/11

#26

Muhibur Rahman

Lack of communication and disorganization are the two major things that come to mind when I think of the culture/environment of my work site. Every intern on the site including myself at times, is confused or not sure what exactly we are doing or what this organization even stands for. For the past weeks, all we’ve been doing is networking but it is starting to seem like more of a personal gain than anything at an organizational level. I definitely do not feel like a valued team member but rather an intern that is easily replaceable. The environment in which we work in is far from engaging and that makes it really difficult to focus and do the tasks at hand. At times it just feels like even my supervisor has no clue what she is doing other than just “networking.”?

Re: Reflection Question 3- Due 7/11

#25

I would describe the culture within my internship site organization as collaborative, engaging, casual, inclusive, and friendly. There is constant interaction, whether it is work related or not. Each member has tasks to accomplish and everyone else is supportive and respectful about it. New ideas are encouraged and welcomed.?

?

This fits with my “ideal” employer because it is important to maintain a combination and balance of teamwork and autonomy. Knowing that your ideas and opinions will be taken into consideration (even as an intern) is also a plus.

Re: Reflection Question 3- Due 7/11

#24

The culture in my internship site is very different than what I had originally imagined. It is a very small office staffed with about 4 people. Victor is our director and he likes to call the shots on a lot things but ultimately he is a team player. Everyone in the office reports to him or Rosa our intake director. She handles more cases and things directly with the detention center. Victor and her seems to be the ones to report to. We have weekly meetings every Tuesday, which I really like. My ideal employer is someone who is very team centered and is not afraid of constructive criticism. Victor and the organization embody that.

Re: Reflection Question 3- Due 7/11

#23

On Sun, Jul 7, 2019 at 07:09 PM, Sheila wrote:

How would you describe the culture within your internship site organization (ways in which co-workers interact or don't interact) and how does this fit with your "ideal" employer?

The culture within my internship site is mostly relaxed and casual, but the other workers there are incredibly knowledgable and can easily have intelligent discussions about social problems. Since the group is so small, everyone is friendly and on a first-name basis with each other, and the day is usually punctuated with casual bits of conversation. I really enjoy this work environment and think it aligns with my "ideal" one because the atmosphere is carefree enough to make me feel relaxed, but our work and our mission is meaningful enough for me to really focus on my tasks at hand.

Re: Reflection Question 3- Due 7/11

#22

I think the culture within my internship organization really does fit my ideal work environment. This is because we can be casual when necessary, but also work really well together to get the job done. There is mutual respect among all of the workers, and people don’t treat me as “just an intern,” but rather as a valued team member who can contribute a lot. I also like the collaborative work environment that exists here, in that teams tend to have shared tasks while also having individual jobs. This applies to event planning, as well as other types of outreach and grant work. Overall, the organization is really in line with what I would describe as my “ideal” work environment.

Reflection Question 3- Due 7/11

#21

How would you describe the culture within your internship site organization (ways in which co-workers interact or don't interact) and how does this fit with your "ideal" employer?

Re: Reflection Question 2 - Due 6/27 by 8:00 am

#20

MCOHA is located right in the center of Dover. It was placed there strategically because it is a sort of the?epicenter of where the Hispanic community lives in Dover. Likewise, the office in Morristown is located right in the middle of what is typically considered the Hispanic?half of Morristown. Since MCOHA is mainly focused on working with the low-income Hispanic/Latino communities in these areas their locations are based around the demographics of the town and that way their clients have the ability to walk to the offices if they don't have a car, license or a ride. Also since there is not much public transport between small towns in NJ, MCOHA provides transport for clients and for the senior group that comes in to play bingo twice a week. Also the one in Dover is located right next to two other non-profits that work with family and courts and there is a lot of referrals between each other and they can prosper good partnerships for their clients.

Re: Reflection Question 2 - Due 6/27 by 8:00 am

#19

Muhibur Rahman

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The location of the internship is in a very dense yet diverse are. There are two location sites, one in Paterson and the other in Wayne. The one in Paterson allows us to reach out to people in the hub of downtown. While it is in a sketchy area that isn’t really safe to be walking around in on your own, it readily serves any and every one seeking assistance. However, the one in Wayne is located in a much nicer area in which the roads are well maintained and not much traffic. The issue with the Wayne site is not the location but the building in which we intern at. Often times we are in the basement, in the dark, working long hours which can get really dull and boring at times and difficult to focus. This location is more ideal because there is the Wayne Valley High-school located within the area in which we can participate, host, and be a part of many different events and activities such as career fair and health fair in order to promote our organization and collaborate with those that share similar goals and interests.?

Re: Reflection Question 2 - Due 6/27 by 8:00 am

#18

The location of my internship is much different than what I thought. We are surrounded by the 4 jails we help with. It is a very industrial area and its only fitting we are walking distance from Elizabeth Detention center, one of our more prominent places we help. I think the location makes it accessible for all jails. We are in an industrial building which rents out rooms, the owner rented us our room for cheap. The location works great especially for surprise cases, just like on Tuesday, when we had 5 emergency releases and they were able to just walk over.

Re: Reflection Question 2 - Due 6/27 by 8:00 am

#17

The location of my internship site plays an important role to the work that the organization does. One of the services provided involves the pick up of released friends. This can be done easily if the released friends are at the Hudson County Correctional Center since the office is located right next to it. Released friends may even choose to walk to the building. Picking up released friends or having them come to the office is more challenging if they are released from another detention center such as the Elizabeth Contract Detention Facility, Essex County Jail, or Bergen County Jail. The pick up service provided by the organization is most helpful to the friends in these detention centers, especially if they do not have a relative that can offer them transportation from the detention center to their next destination.?

Aside from the?Hudson County Correctional Center, all that can be found in the surrounding area are warehouses and trucks. Perhaps the intermittent loss of internet connection may have something to do with the location. Considerably, the operation of the organization is affected by this signal loss since the calls do not get through and projects being worked on are interrupted.?

Re: Reflection Question 2 - Due 6/27 by 8:00 am

#16

开云体育

The location of the internship site is in a very diverse area in which crime rate is very high and so is the poverty level. However, being located in the downtown area it helps us reach out to all people where anyone seeking help can have easy access to the site. Transportation is easy around the area even though roads aren’t very well maintained and area can expect a lot of traffic. Most importantly, the location allows me to assist people from all walks of life since it is very diverse. Also being one of the most populous cities and very dense, there are many people seeking help. I would like to assist others in understanding cultures, religions, and other facets of diversity. There are also many activities that promote celebration of various cultures and heritages and I look forward to attending them and helping others in any way I can. Being raised and living right around the corner, I have much more knowledge in where to go and what to do to better solve an issue and give the best support we can provide.?

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On Jun 26, 2019, at 4:15 PM, Selena <selenanandi@...> wrote:

The location of the internship site is overall kept hidden to protect the women that it serves. However, it is very close to public transportation, restaurants, and medical facilities. This is helpful in transporting the women to the site where they can get help. For example, a train station is located a mere 3 minute walk away, allowing women to travel without a car very easily. The site is also almost on a college campus, which allows for easy partnerships with a major university that can help get the message out there and hold events such as workshops. In addition, the university itself has a lot of resources that can be helpful. In terms of a broader scheme, the site is in Central Jersey in a county that has a very high South Asian population, which is the community that it serves.?