Most Valuable Learning Experiences at Loras College
Coming into my freshman year at Loras College, I was slightly confused as to what direction I wanted to take academically. This was because I knew exactly what I wanted to be doing after I graduated, but I was less sure on how to actually get there. It was at Loras that I met a number of different professors who helped advise me along the way and mentor my college career, putting me in the best possible place to stand-out as a candidate in my field of choice. I can remember being a little kid and knowing exactly what I wanted to be when I grew up. To this day, that vision has not changed at all. Animal welfare, rehab, and law is my calling and going through the criminal justice program at Loras has not only increased my knowledge dramatically on crime and how we socially respond to it, but has helped me form connections and gain working experience that will prove beneficial to my future.
I believe that my internship with the Dubuque Regional Humane Society and the constant reflecting I did upon my duties through the class portion was the most important aspect of my college career. I am very thankful to my Loras student adviser, Dr. Leonard Decker, who was the one who encouraged me to reach out and contact the local humane society for internship opportunities. After sending in my resume to the Dubuque Regional Humane Society's Director of Operations and head cruelty investigator, Pete Murphy, I was immediately contacted back to come in for an interview. To my delight, they were also looking to hire someone as an animal care technician to work at the main shelter in addition to my cruelty investigation internship. Now, almost two years later, I continue to work at the humane society under Mr. Murphy and respond to abuse calls on my own as one of the shelter's main cruelty investigators.
My internship and job have provided me with many significant learning experiences. One very important example is that they allowed me to come to terms with the reality of working in the animal welfare field. Prior to my experience in an actual humane environment, I had a very idealistic view towards animal welfare. For example, Mr. Murphy told me he could instantly tell I was someone who would give my life to save every animal if I could, but he warned me about what it takes to be able to work in this field. I believe my internship allowed me my first chance to bring out the dispositions that Loras College had instilled in me. They allowed me to come to terms with reality without compromising my work ethic to do everything I can for the animals that I love. I learned many important things about myself, including the fact that even though I cannot save every animal, I can make a difference in the lives of many. I gained these skills by becoming an active learner, reflective thinker, ethical decision-maker, and responsible contributor here at Loras. Below you will find access to my final internship reflection paper, describing in detail my duties, responsibilities, and thoughts on my internship at the humane society. Feel free to download and read through it at your own convenience.
I believe that my internship with the Dubuque Regional Humane Society and the constant reflecting I did upon my duties through the class portion was the most important aspect of my college career. I am very thankful to my Loras student adviser, Dr. Leonard Decker, who was the one who encouraged me to reach out and contact the local humane society for internship opportunities. After sending in my resume to the Dubuque Regional Humane Society's Director of Operations and head cruelty investigator, Pete Murphy, I was immediately contacted back to come in for an interview. To my delight, they were also looking to hire someone as an animal care technician to work at the main shelter in addition to my cruelty investigation internship. Now, almost two years later, I continue to work at the humane society under Mr. Murphy and respond to abuse calls on my own as one of the shelter's main cruelty investigators.
My internship and job have provided me with many significant learning experiences. One very important example is that they allowed me to come to terms with the reality of working in the animal welfare field. Prior to my experience in an actual humane environment, I had a very idealistic view towards animal welfare. For example, Mr. Murphy told me he could instantly tell I was someone who would give my life to save every animal if I could, but he warned me about what it takes to be able to work in this field. I believe my internship allowed me my first chance to bring out the dispositions that Loras College had instilled in me. They allowed me to come to terms with reality without compromising my work ethic to do everything I can for the animals that I love. I learned many important things about myself, including the fact that even though I cannot save every animal, I can make a difference in the lives of many. I gained these skills by becoming an active learner, reflective thinker, ethical decision-maker, and responsible contributor here at Loras. Below you will find access to my final internship reflection paper, describing in detail my duties, responsibilities, and thoughts on my internship at the humane society. Feel free to download and read through it at your own convenience.
internshipreflection.docx | |
File Size: | 23 kb |
File Type: | docx |