How has the NODA Internship at UTSA helped you professionally?
During my time at UTSA, I particularly grew in my ability to design and implement staff development/bonding activities as well as my ability to be a more effective supervisor.
Additionally, I was drawn to UTSA because it is a Hispanic Service Institution and I was wanting to gain more experience working with traditionally under-served populations, a professional goal that was definitely achieved during this internship through my interactions and relationships with both the orientation leaders and orientation participants.
It was also neat to be at such a young university and be able to witness new traditions being created, which helped me gain a unique perspective on student affairs collaboration with other departments across campus.
What was your experience at UTSA?
One thing I really liked about the UTSA internship as opposed to other NODA internships is that it was an entire three months long which really gave me the opportunity get to know the campus, the university, and make my experience at UTSA a meaningful one. Within hours of arriving on campus, I felt at home and apart of the team! Perhaps that is because I am from Texas (although still 6 hours away from San Antonio) but probably has more due to the fabulous professional staff, student coordinators, and orientation leaders who went out of their way to help make everyone feel right at home and a valued member of the staff.
Although there were our fair share of challenges over the course of the summer, I had a lot of fun both in and out of the office -- we laughed a lot. To sum it all up in one sentence, the UTSA OFP staff truly embraces and lives the FISH philosophy.
What piece of advice would you give a prospective Intern?
Ok, so I have a few pieces of advice for future UTSA NODA interns!
If you have the option to not take additional summer course work (i.e., online courses, self directed readings... basically anything other than getting credit for the internship alone) for your graduate program while interning at UTSA, take advantage of it! I think you will get so much more out of your internship experience and time at UTSA, in San Antonio, and Central Texas if you are able to fully invest your time and energy into being completely present in your experience instead of being constantly distracted by course readings and papers that you have yet to complete.
In making the most out of your time, be sure get out and explore your surroundings! San Antonio is a great city with many fun things to see and do (many of which are free!) as well as great food! Austin is also just about an hour away and there are plenty of rivers to float down to help beat the Texas heat. A few of my favorite adventures from the summer were exploring Gruene, floating the San Marcos River, going to Cowboys, and spending time in the Pearl Brewery District.
And, last but not least, don't pack so many dress outfits! I would say 5-6 professional dress outfits should get you through the summer as you will be mostly wearing OFP uniforms on program days.
Go Runners!
How has the NODA Internship at UTSA helped you professionally?
My NODA experience produced great connections with other student affairs professionals and allowed me to gain experience in multiple skill areas - supervision, logistics, presenting, and more!
What was your experience at UTSA?
I had an amazing experience at UTSA! Working with the family orientation program gave me the opportunity to work with both students and families. In addition, the Intern professional development aspect allowed me to make connections with administrators from all over campus.
One of the most valuable parts of the internship is the sense of community - from the other Interns to staff members to students. The students were, honestly, the best I've ever worked with. They were dedicated to their position as student leaders and welcomed me as part of their family. The family program staff - from my supervisor to OLs - took me in as a fellow Roadrunner. And possibly most beneficial, was the relationships I developed with the other Interns. They were more than just colleagues; they were my support system. We still keep in contact and I know if I ever need a place to stay in TX, NC or FL I could call on them. I left knowing there are other young professionals just as dedicated to student success as I am. My experience at UTSA was much more than what was in the job description.
What piece of advice would you give a prospective Intern?
Personally, it was hard for me to decide to come to San Antonio because it was 1,500 miles from my home and support system. But I'm so happy I did. [UTSA] was a great opportunity to step outside my comfort zone. And that's what grad school is all about. Let yourself be vulnerable. Ask questions. Do things you may not ever get the opportunity to do otherwise.
How has the NODA Internship at UTSA helped you professionally?
I truly learned the meaning of teamwork, determination, and how to have fun as a staff while at UTSA.
What was your experience at UTSA?
I loved my experience at UTSA. The orientation staff was so welcoming....they truly exceeded all my expectations. I learned so much more than just new student programming...I learned how to come to work everyday with a passion for helping students learn about UTSA. :)
What piece of advice would you give a prospective Intern?
I think the best piece of advice I can give you is to really immerse yourself in the experience. Get to know the orientation leaders, the professional staff, and the campus as a whole. I also asked a lot of questions. :) This was by far the best internship I completed during graduate school.
How has the NODA Internship at UTSA helped you professionally?
The NODA Internship at UTSA was a great opportunity professionally! I was able to continue developing my own skills and abilities, as well as gaining new invaluable experience in supervising over 20 student staff members and executing a large orientation program.
Additionally, I was able to meet several Interns from across the country. Having three other Interns working with me was great! We were able to talk about our own experiences and really learned a lot from one another.
What was your experience at UTSA?
My experience was fantastic! I loved everyone at UTSA! The orientation staff is one big family, and from the first day you arrive it is clear you are part of that family. The staff is extremely invested in your professional development throughout the summer, which only adds to the internship.
There is a lot to see and do in San Antonio, and we took advantage of it all!
What piece of advice would you give a prospective Intern?
Applying for NODA Internships can be a daunting experience with over a hundred different internships to choose from. Remember the internship experience is not only about what you can bring to the institution, but what you can gain from the experience. Keep an open mind as you apply to schools and know that this internship will allow you to grow throughout the summer.
I don't think I would have traded this experience for anything. I had one of the best supervisors I could have asked for, and she became a friend and a mentor by the end.
How has the NODA Internship at UTSA helped you professionally?
I wanted to do a NODA Internship to gain experience working in new student orientation as well as experience a large public Hispanic serving institution. UTSA gave me the opportunity to work with a diverse group of student Orientation Leaders and also allowed me to meet with various campus offices and including the Dean of Students, multicultural center, and academic support center.
My NODA experience at UTSA gave different perspectives of student orientation, supervisory experience, emergency/crisis response experience, and allowed me to work as part of an amazing team of Interns and administrators.
What was your experience at UTSA?
Working with freshman programs I found myself assisting notorious helicopter parents, nervous new students, and sometimes entire families, through the Orientation experience. This experience allowed me to see the “behind the scenes” work that goes in to making a large scale orientation program run smoothly. It forced me to think on my feet, understand the logistical components of the day-to-day schedule and also allowed me plenty of opportunities to see professional staff members dance off to the Stanky Leg (that was the hot song of the summer)!
What piece of advice would you give a prospective Intern?
I would say to any prospective NODA Intern to keep an open mind. You create your own experience! Be a sponge; take everything in and connect with the students!
As far as San Antonio goes, live it up! San Antonio is a great city, with a lot of culture and amazing food!
How has the NODA Internship at UTSA helped you professionally?
The NODA Internship at UTSA helped me professionally in many ways. First, the experience allowed me to work more closely with a diverse group of students i.e. first generation, students of color, etc. In addition, I gained experience supervising college students, which is something that I was looking for in an internship experience. Overall the experience strengthened my customer service skills and gave me an increased awareness and understanding of the issues and concerns facing today's college students and their families.
What was your experience at UTSA?
It was great! The students and staff in OFP are very welcoming and treat you like you are part of the family. Plus, San Antonio is a really great city to be in with so much to do no matter where your interests lie. You also get to work with other Interns who are in student affairs and higher education programs around the country. This is something that you don't find at many internship sites, and it really makes the experience that much sweeter!
What piece of advice would you give a prospective Intern?
1)Take time to get to know the orientation leaders and professional staff.
2)The professional staff are dedicated to making sure you get everything you need out of the experience. Professional development is extremely important and is a vital component of the experience.
