Each summer at Career Explorations, interns are asked to write a journal entry detailing their internship experience. Some interns write about attending a memorable event such as an industry meeting or describe a meaningful conversations with an internship mentor, while others detail how the internship experience has affected future career or college plans. CE Staff select the most insightful entries and post excerpts here.
Congratulations to our San Francisco winners Marissa Cohen and Mackenzie Roach!
Journal Entry Excerpt from Marissa Cohen, Political Intern:
This summer I was lucky enough to experience politics in full swing. I worked on a campaign for Board of Supervisors, doing what my mentor referred to as “the heart of the entire campaign.” Experiencing the inner workings of a campaign showed me what it takes to live my dream: have a political position. Having that dream come true gave me an idea of what a political position, and running for one, really entails, as well as effective techniques for thriving in a professional environment.
Working on a campaign taught me more than just ways to get elected. It taught me how to get people to help me with tasks, and how to find the first steps in achieving one bigger and greater goal. These are lessons I’ll be able to keep with me even after this program is over.
When the internship is over and I go home, I’ll be able to keep these lessons with me and apply them to my everyday life. If school presents me with a huge project, I’ll know how to break it down into easily manageable parts. This internship taught me that politics really is something I want to pursue in the future, how to pursue it, and how to apply it to my everyday life.
Journal Entry Excerpt from Mackenzie Roach, Veterinary Medicine Intern:
I am interning at Presidio Way Veterinary Hospital and I love it. I'm learning so much about animal medicine, people skills, and general work habits that I will definitely use in the future. Sometimes, I work at the front dealing with clients, filing and organizing papers, and gaining basic receptionist skills important for any job. Although those tasks may not seem the most exciting, I really enjoyed learning how to run and maintain the hospital. I know these skills will become extremely useful in my future regardless of the career I pursue.
While learning the basics of front desk management was extremely important and beneficial, the most thrilling and eye-opening part of my internship is working in the back with the animals. I shadowed the head nurse as she trained and introduced me to all the daily tasks, procedures, and skills required to treat and care for the dogs and cats that come into the hospital. I've learned how to draw up necessary medications and drugs in syringes and needles. I help the nurses and technicians restrain and soothe the animals. I have learned how to clean the animal’s ears, cut their nails, and test their blood. Unfortunately, sometimes my job can get messy; however, knowing how to complete these tasks is an important part of the veterinary field. I even know how to prepare fecal samples and read them under a microscope. Although my job isn’t always glamorous at times, I really love going to work everyday.
My favorite aspect of my workplace is that every day something new and exciting happens. For example, I got to stand in my first surgery the other day. The doctor had to remove a dog's eye because I believe it had glaucoma and the eye was very painful. And my most exciting moment was when I got to watch a surgery on a bulldog. This experience meant the most to me because I used to have bulldogs and the bulldog in surgery needed to remove a cancerous mass on its head. I watched as the doctor remove a large portion of the dog’s skin on its head and I could see the dog’s skull. For me, that moment was one of the most exhilarating and surreal experiences. I am certain that I will always remember my experience this summer. It has been a great benefit for my future.
Saturday some of us headed to Muir Woods to relax and unwind with the peacefullness of the trees, while the rest of us traveled to Chinatown (the largest Chinatown outside of China!). Here we are at the gate.
And of course eating some Chinese food!
This was all followed by a good laugh at Young Frankenstein on Saturday night. The main character was even on Desperate Housewives! 
