MSU Human Development and Family studies senior Felise Washington is interning at Peckham, a nonprofit vocational rehabilitation organization, for her Flint Study Away Summer Internship.
“I work with an amazing group of kids who are not able to be in a school, but are court mandated to be in a school or rehabilitation setting,” Felise Washington said. “We work on teaching them life skills, helping with schoolwork, mentoring, and way more.”
Felise chose Human Development and Family Studies with a minor in Human Behavior and Social Services because she knew she wanted to go into the field of social work, but also wanted a degree that provided her flexibility. She signed up for the internship because she wanted to gain experience in her field to see if this was really what she wanted to do.
“After my internship, I’m sure that it is!” she said.
Her favorite part about her internship is being able to watch the youth succeed when they think they can’t, and she has learned a lot about herself too.
“Though I had a bit of patience before my internship, this opportunity had taught me how to truly be patient,” she said. “A kid might come in with an attitude because of something that happened at home, and I am learning how to better recognize that and adjust my expectations each day so that I can meet them where they are."
She is also learning the ins and outs of case management.
“It’s way different when you are hit with things in real life, rather than hearing/ learning it from a book or lecture.”
The Flint Study Away Internship Summer Program is a credit-bearing summer internship program where MSU undergraduate students live, work and study within the City of Flint, Michigan, for approximately 8 weeks from the beginning of June through the beginning of August.
“Program participants benefit from firsthand learning in fields of interest while contributing to the mission of a community organization and the revitalization of the Flint area,” said Catherine White, Office for Experiential Learning and Flint Summer Internship Study Away Program advisor.
Felise's advice for students considering this summer internship is to come in with an open mind because no day will be the same.
“One day could be very relaxed and quiet and the next day could be pure chaos,” she said. “Honestly, it could happen in the same day. So just be prepared to go with the wind.”
Her second piece of advice is for future interns assigned to Peckham:
“If you get the chance to work at Peckham specifically, do not judge the kids by their circumstances. They can be some of the sweetest kids at times.”
To learn more about the Flint Study Away Summer Internship Program, visit Flint Summer 2023 Study Away Internship Program Guide.pdf (msu.edu).
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By Katie Rose Frey