Certified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, sits down with four students who have completed practicums - Haley Alexander, Jenny Cazares, Aislinn DiRito, and Connor Jensen.
Haley is currently a Patient Care Tech in an outpatient pediatric hematology/oncology clinic but will be transitioning back into a student role as a child life intern in August 2023. She holds a B.S. in Psychology, an M.S. in Child Life, and a BLS certification. Haley completed an accelerated 7-week practicum. Jenny Cazares has completed her undergrad in Psychology and is currently pursuing an M.S. in Child Life. She will also be completing an internship this fall. She recently completed a practicum in the spring of 2023. Aislinn is a child life student in her final year of undergrad, pursuing a degree in Human Development and Family Studies with a minor in Lifestyle Medicine. She is fresh from her practicum program this summer where she had a wide variety of exciting opportunities to observe procedural preparation and support which she unpacks during this episode. Connor has been pursuing child life for the past 7 years. He obtained his master's in 2020 and completed an international practicum in 2021. Connor will also be completing an internship this fall.
These four students don't stop at sharing their experiences, they dig deeper, sharing practical tips on handling practicum tasks, the art of being diligently organized, and the necessity of having a backup plan for self-care and coping techniques. They stress the importance of preparedness and adaptability. Their stories and insights highlight the importance of open communication, seeking out learning opportunities, and advocating for oneself.
These students do not sugarcoat the challenges. They candidly discuss juggling practicum and internship applications, the emotional exhaustion that can accompany the application process, and the reality of confronting doubts and fears. Yet, they also emphasize the incredible benefits and growth opportunities a practicum provides - the confidence it builds, the insights it offers, and how it helps in developing one's philosophy in child life.
So, whether you're preparing for your practicum, midway through it, or reflecting on your experiences, this conversation is guaranteed to inspire!
To reach out to students - use the following Instagram accounts below.
@haleyanna_alexander
@Jennydcg
@aislinn_not.aslan
@jensen_connor10
Track: Odessa — LiQWYD & Scandinavianz [Audio Library Release]Music provided by Audio Library PlusWatch: https://youtu.be/jNy-Dp3lgcgFree Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/odessa
