Career and Professional Development

1. During their six week internship, students participating in Community Building Internships through the Field Experience Program meet weekly as a group (over lunch or dinner) with MJUSIS-L staff and are frequently joined by CBI supervisors. These weekly reflections provide "real time" opportunities to make connections—which is a key purpose of reflection—between their work and social justice, between theory and practice, between and among the different organizations and issues they address, between the current internship and career plans, and between and among ourselves and our communities, both local and global. Generally speaking, these reflections help us develop a greater understanding of how our work promotes civic, personal, academic, and career growth.
2. Each student must also complete an assignment at the end of their internships to reflect upon their  learning.

Reflective Assignment: (due after your internship is complete)
This assignment should be a summary of your whole experience, reflecting back on the entire internship.

• How did your previous experiences and personal identity influence the way you felt and approached your internship initially, and your influences your expectations?
• Which of your initial learning goals were met/not met? Were they realistic? How would you change them now, at the end of your internship?
• Which of the community partner's goals for your work were met/not met? Were they realistic? If they were not all accomplished, why not? What should have been different?
• Describe a time when you felt great about your work and a time when you felt bad about it. What contributed to these different feelings? How did your expectations contribute to these feelings?
• Describe a workplace setting in which you felt comfortable, as well as one which challenged you to move outside your comfort zone, and offer possible reasons for your differing responses. Were your assumptions about the workplace challenged?   
• How will you use what you have learned from this experience? How is this experience connected to your classes, extracurricular activities, study abroad/away (if applicable), and other dimensions of your life and your K education? 
• How did your work change your understanding of the social/political issues that your organization addresses? Will this change your personal choices? Will you do anything differently as a result?
• Did you meet people who could serve as possible mentors? What qualities do you admire about them? How might you remain connected with these new contacts?
• What advice would you give to younger students into the career field you have explored through this experience?
• What observations have you made about this particular culture (workplace and/or living environment)? How have your encounters with this culture changed your perspective about yourself and this culture? Have you changed any of your preconceived ideas?

All submitted assignments must meet the following requirements:

1. Submit via email. Photo, audio, and other creative journals may accompany typed assignments.
2. Word document or pdf file sent as attachment.
3. Subject line should read "CBI Reflective Assignment (Your Name)" and be emailed to Paulette.Rieger@kzoo.edu.
4. Submission should be about 750–1000 words, although longer is okay, too.