My Health and Human Performance Internship: Yard Sale Prep

By Jessica Turner '17

During my 5th week of my HHP internship at the Franklin County Perinatal Education Center I have worked most of my time on preparation for the spring yard sale. The FCPEC is a non-profit organization so they have to fundraise to get a majority of their money. The yard is one of their biggest fundraisers of the year. So I helped to sort some of the donated clothes into winter and summer clothes based on their sizes. They have a fall and spring yard sale, so they try to only have out summer clothes during the spring yard sale and winter clothes in the fall yard sale. I also have to make sure that the clothes don’t have too many stains or too worn out. If the clothes are have stains or too worn out we either throw them out or donate them to Goodwill. I also got to test out the electrical appliances that have been donated. I tested everything from irons and microwaves to bacon cookers and Christmas lights. I spent two of my days testing all of the different electronics and most of them worked.

During my 6th week, I worked more on the yard sale items. I got to measure and package curtains that were donated. At the beginning I was struggling trying to figure out the best way to measure and fold the curtains because they are so long. After about two or three tries I got it down and was on a roll. I also started organizing childbirth care packages that I had made into girl or boy and winter or summer. I had to figure out the best way to storage them. I found these giant plastic bags labeled them and put the specific package into the big bag. I’ve made so many of these care packages that mothers will be getting these after I finish my internship at FCPEC. That is a very exciting thought for me, that I will be making a small impact on this place even after my internship is up.

The FC Perinatal Education Center is partnered with Bath and Body Works and Tuesday Morning in Roanoke and they will donate items. When the stores get returns that they can’t put back on the shelves they will donate them to us. So there are some very nice and high quality things donated to them, like comforters and lamps. Amy goes and picks up carloads from both stores at least once a week.

I feel like I’m getting into a flow now, I feel comfortable going in and doing whatever Amy asks of me and she can leave me to do it. I’ve been learning how much work goes into putting on a fundraiser and keeping a non-profit running. Amy runs everything basically by herself, does paperwork, sets up classes, and does fundraisers. She has one lady that comes in twice a week to help price and sort donations for the yard sale and another lady that comes in during the mornings and helps answer phones and helps mail out postcards. Other than them, she does everything. You can really see her love for what she does, she never complains about all the work, besides paper work occasionally. She always has a smile on her face and had such a positive attitude.

My Health and Human Performance Internship: A Change of Perspective

By Haley Overstreet '16

Coach Karen Harvey and Health and Human Performance

Exercise and Sports Studies major Haley Overstreet '16.

Haley is minoring in Coaching and will graduate in December.

I’ve never seen a day where there wasn’t a ball at my feet, or in my hand, or where I wasn’t on the field or in a gym. I’ve spent a great portion of my life being an athlete. I grew up playing two sports, basketball and soccer, until I decided to solely focus on soccer when it came time to make the big decision of where to go to college. Spending seventeen years heavily involved in sports I’ve had my fair share of coaches, some good and some bad, with lessons learned from each and every one of them. I’ve played college soccer at two different institutions. I’ve also played college lacrosse and field hockey, two sports I was never introduced to until recently, when my soccer career ended. I’ve had four different college coaches; four different coaching philosophies and values, four different teams, and four different jerseys I’ve worn throughout my college career. Now, some of you may understand what playing sports growing up is like, particularly in high school and even into college, while others may not. It’s not always big wins, trophies, and championship rings. Being an athlete is certainly not as pretty from the outside looking in. It’s sacrifice, determination, early mornings, late nights, long trips, missed parties and holidays. It’s painful, it’s ugly, and it’s the typical cliché of blood, sweat and tears. However, I believe it’s something everyone should experience and despite how rough it really is I certainly wouldn’t have changed one second of this crazy hectic lifestyle.

That’s why I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to intern under Coach Karen Harvey, head women’s lacrosse coach. These past five weeks have truly been eye opening. I really do not believe that athlete’s realize the amount of time and effort that coaches put into their every day job. It’s not just planning practices and facilitating them. There is so much more to being a coach, especially at the college level. Being a coach is demanding, stressful, and time consuming but at the end of the day it probably is one of the most rewarding jobs. I’ve realized that sports all around build character, create team players and instill discipline in individuals. That’s exactly what Karen is doing. Along with teaching these young women the game of lacrosse she’s also teaching them better time management, self-accountability, and the will to persevere even when times (practices, games, classes, etc.) get tough. I never really looked at it this way until I started my internship. It’s funny how when you put yourself in someone else’s shoes the things you will be able to see. Observing things from a coaching aspect is way different than from a player’s. I’ve learned that as an athlete we often get caught up in the choices a coach makes and how they affect us individually. Rather than being selfish and focusing on oneself, players need to understand that a coaches choices are made to benefit the team as a whole, not just to target a single player. Being a coach goes far beyond the field and some lessons that coaches teach players benefit them in all walks of life, this is the rewarding part. One of the greatest parts I’ve learned about being a coach is having successful players beyond their playing years. It’s a great feeling for a coach to receive a phone call from a former player and have them talk about their current lives and accomplishments and I can only hope to one day play a huge role in my players' lives and hear about how successful they have become.

My Health and Human Performance Internship: A Summer Well Spent

By Brandon Hooks '17

As a student majoring in Health and Human Performance, I had the great opportunity to serve as intern at Athletic Lab, in Cary, North Carolina during this past summer. The experience under Athletic Lab’s founder, Dr. Michael Young was phenomenal. The hands-on work, independent research, and workshops afforded me the opportunity to grasp many skills and ideologies about being an athletic performance coach. I also had the opportunity to design and defend a program to raise athletic performance for a certain type of college prospect athlete.

Dr. Young gave lectures weekly about things he has learned and strategies for helping a client out when trying to reach a goal such as if somebody was trying to learn how to be faster and sprint better. I learned a lot about CrossFit, which was new to me because I have never been in a primarily CrossFit type gym before. Also during the course of my internship, I did research and wrote a total of four blogs on various topics. I wrote about whether kettlebell swings are effective in a full body workout; whether CrossFit is really good for you; whether using gymnastic rings is the new way of improving body strength; and whether adrenaline enhances athletic performance.

The entire internship was very challenging and rewarding. I was able to utilize a combination of kinesthetic, social, and solitary learning styles to successfully navigate the internship. The internship experience as a part of my academic plan at Ferrum College will certainly assist me in making career choices as I approach graduation.

Read my Athletic Lab blogs:

http://athleticlab.com/kettlebells-need-brandon-hooks/

http://athleticlab.com/a-balanced-look-at-crossfit-by-brandon-hooks/

http://athleticlab.com/ring-training-brandon-hooks/

http://elitetrack.com/adrenaline-performance-brandon-hooks/

Reflecting on my 4 Years at Ferrum

by Rachel W., Panther Blogger

Is this really the beginning of my final semester of college?  There is no way 4 years went by so fast!  I don't want to believe it.  I have started a 400-hour internship at a local hospice agency near my hometown!  I'm a commuter student now and am spending a little less time on Ferrum's beautiful campus, which is extremely bittersweet.

As I reflect on the past few years here at Ferrum and ponder about my future, I realize there are a few things I wish I could go back and tell my freshman self:

1. Get some sleep, but not too much sleep!  It's important to balance fun and school work. There are times where I should have just shut my door and went to sleep, and there are times when I probably should have let myself have a little more fun!
2. Do better in your freshman classes!  You don't think they matter that much until you're down to the wire calculating what your final GPA will be and whether or not you will graduate with honors or get into your program's honors society.  Luckily last year, I was inducted into Phi Alpha, a national honors society for social work majors, but a part of me wishes I would have tried a little harder in my freshman math class.
   
3. Remember your parents have feelings too.  I was my parents' only child for 18 years.  When I graduated high school and moved to college, they missed me so much that they decided to adopt two more!  Okay, maybe it was planned exactly like that, but nonetheless, it's important to call home and let your parents know you're okay.  They took care of you for a long time and it's nice to remind them they did a good job!  (Thank you, Mom and Dad!)

All in all, Ferrum as been one of the best experiences of my life!  I wouldn't trade my college experience for anything else in this world, and part of me will always call Ferrum College home.  I'm excited and nervous about the future, but I know that Ferrum has prepared me for my future.  Thank you, Jennie, Martha, Peg, Susie, Dr. Reilly, and the many more who have shaped my college career!

Never Underestimate the Value of Community Involvement!

by Caleb T., Panther Blogger

I'm a huge believer that community involvement makes your college experience so much better.  Ferrum faculty and staff help students find great opportunities to get involved with the welcoming local community, and it's worth it!  Check out my video about ways that I've been involved in the local community of Ferrum and the surrounding areas during my time at Ferrum College.

Just in case you can't view the video here, try visiting the link on Youtube:
http://youtu.be/qeEjBVtbASk

Getting Plugged In With Ministries On and Off Campus

by Caleb T., Panther Blogger

Being involved in local church and in campus ministries at Ferrum has been a huge part of my time at Ferrum College!  Check out my video about spiritual life and campus ministries at Ferrum College - and sorry about the wind in the video!

Just in case you can't view the video here, try visiting the link on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qdW8_Bxwvw

Explore Your Opportunities!

by Dannica B., Panther Blogger

At Ferrum College, there are so many fabulous opportunities, such as studying abroad, E-Terms, different courses, internships, and so much more!  I am only a sophomore here at Ferrum and I already feel like I am so involved with the school.  From Greek life to clubs, I am forever busy, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I love everything I do here at Ferrum and I know that at the end of the day, everything I do will be so rewarding for me.  A major benefit to doing so much is it looks so fantastic on your resume. It's one thing to say you graduated with a degree, but it's the little details that count. The opportunities you take make you unique and that's what employers look for. Ferrum College makes sure its students have access to great opportunities!

Since I am only a first-semester sophomore, I haven't had much opportunity to travel abroad and do internships yet. Even though I've always had the particular mindset that I would do an internship when I became an upperclassman, I took a risk and applied to the Disney College Program.  I found out about this program from one of Ferrum's campus-wide emails. I had little to no confidence that I would get in because I figured I was too young and inexperienced.  I was completely wrong because I got an interview the same day I applied, and a few weeks later, I got an acceptance email into the program!  I think that was one of the happiest days of my life because who doesn't want to intern at Disney?!

It was so easy to apply; it was like a regular college application.  When they review your application, they offer you an online interview, and if they're interested in you, they offer you a phone interview. Then after a few weeks, you will find out if you were accepted or not.  I do have a few experiences that I believe helped me get the internship.  The more you do, the better and more interesting you will be to potential employers. If you're interested in possibly interning for Disney, just visit www.disneycollegeprogram.com.

I am so excited for my internship!  From January to June next semester, I will be working in the restaurants and the outdoor carts, and there are so many benefits to this internship.  I will earn a small stipend for the internship which will pay for my housing, and I will earn credits toward my major at Ferrum for the classes I take at Disney. I know it will be a fantastic experience and will be such a great resume-builder.  It will give me good experience working outdoors and working with people from all over the country, which I know will help prepare me for a future career in outdoor events!

 

Ferrum College Found Me - An Introduction to New Blogger Rebecca!

by Rebecca M., Panther Blogger

Hey everyone!  My name is Rebecca and I am currently a junior at Ferrum College.  I am a Liberal Arts major and am double-minoring in Elementary Education and Criminal Justice.  I'm from Richmond, Virginia.

I went to a small high school, so I wanted a college in which I felt like I was a student and not just an identification number.  I looked at a variety of different colleges and was not really sure that any of them were for me. I got a call from the Ferrum Admissions office about a potential scholarship offer. When I had applied to Ferrum, I had never even heard of it. After looking into Ferrum College, I decided I needed to come and check it out. After coming for a visit, I fell in LOVE with Ferrum and it was exactly what I was looking for!

After switching my major for the fourth...or fifth time, I decided that Elementary Education was the right major for me.  One of the things I love about Ferrum is that with every education class, there is an internship involved.  I am able to get into the classroom and see first-hand what it is like to be a teacher as well as how much education has changed since I was in elementary school.

I am involved in a few activities on campus as well. I am in the Scholars in Residence Program, which requires having a certain GPA and attending one educational or community service event each month.  I also have a work-study job and am a freshman seminar mentor, and an orientation team member (I was an O-Team Captain last year).

As I always say to my friends:  Bye for now, be safe, and make good choices!

Finding a Placement

by Rachel W., Panther Blogger

One of the best parts about earning a bachelor's degree in Social Work is that the opportunities after graduation are endless.  One of the most appealing things to me is that I can either start my career immediately after graduation or I can continue my education and earn a master's degree in Social Work.

I think that internships are a vital part of becoming a professional social worker.  The professors here at Ferrum College are amazing, but nothing can compare to the real life experience you earn from taking an internship. I am currently taking a professional preparation class where we talk about what we need to do after graduation and we try to find the best internship to meet our personal and professional needs.

Last semester, I lost a very close family member. Watching my loved one pass away was one of the hardest experiences of my life.  However, with the help of loving family members, wonderful friends, amazing nurses, and a devoted pastor, I learned that death can be a peaceful good-bye that leaves you with a sense of closure and relief.  Without the help of those around me, I would have never been able to experience such a sad life event and still come out with a positive mindset.  So, I wanted to know if there was a way I could help others through similar life events like this.

That's when I learned about Hospice from Professor West and Professor Bowling.  Hospice care is "a family-centered team approach that includes a doctor, nurse, social worker, counselor, chaplain, home health aide, and trained volunteers.  They work together focusing on the dying person's needs - physical, psychological, social and spiritual."

Me with Professors West (left) and Bowling (right)

At Ferrum College, we have what is called an Experiential Term, or E-Term.  This is a three-week class where you have opportunities to take internships, travel abroad, or even catch up on core classes.  I will be taking an E-Term class this May, and it will be an internship at a local Hospice agency.  I am so excited to experience the career first-hand.  I know that Hospice is something that takes a special person to do, and I am extremely thankful that I will have a "trial run" to see how things work and to see if this would be the right fit for me long-term.

Professor Bowling, the professor in charge of placements, takes a long time to make sure an agency is fully prepared and can provide each student with an educational and skill-developing experience.  She personally meets with those who will supervise students the agencies.  She makes sure that every placement is the best fit and that each student will get the most from this opportunity.

My goal with this internship is to go in with an open mind and find out if a career in Hospice care or something similar is right for me.  I'm excited that I have this opportunity and thankful that I am in a Social Work Program that takes no shortcuts in preparing students for their careers!

The Start and End of a Wonderful Adventure

by Delana S., Panther Blogger

When I first started the Washington Semester Program at American University, I did not know what to expect, who I was going to meet, or what I was going to learn.  I was a little nervous, but now that it is all ending, I am a little sad about it all.

My specific program of study was Conflict Resolution in the Middle East and Beyond, which was new to me since I have not really studied the Middle East in many of my previous courses.  My professor, Dr. Mohamed Nimer, is a brilliant man who wanted our little class of eight students to truly enjoy our time in DC and experience new and exciting things.  Dr. Nimer is different from many of the professors that I have had, but he is also the same because he cares and invests so much of his time to make sure that we are truly learning and having an engaging experience in his class.  At the same time, he is very nice and generous. He has done many things to give us a taste of some of the culture and the food in the Middle East, such as providing food for us and taking us to many different restaurants. It was at these moments that I felt like I was back at Ferrum because my class has grown to be a little family and it will be hard to see everyone go.

Lunch at Hill Country with my classmates!  :)

All my classmates come from different walks of life, and each of us have a different story and career paths in mind, but it means a lot when your professor can invite your all out to dinner, look at each of you and talk about how this is the best class that he has had in the program through his years of teaching it.  He was also able to point out something that made each of us stand out in the class. I will never forget that or the past few months when we had to meet to discuss my progress and growth within the class.  I did not know much about the conflicts in the Middle East when I first started the class, but now I feel like a mini-expert. 

Puerto Rico Foreign Policy panel:  Jacob, Philip C. French,
Juan Dalmau Ramirez, Jeffery Farrow, Manuel Rivera, and me

The interns: Jacob, Alexandros, Me, Huesen, and Adrianna at
the Embassy of Brazil Holiday Extravaganza.

This is going to sound really corny and emotional, but I have cried about the fact that everything is ending and that I am leaving my internship.  In case you missed my previous blog post, I have been an intern at the World Affairs Council - Washington, DC, also known as WAC-DC.  It is a small office with a staff of only about five people not including the interns, but even with that small number of staff, we host big events that gather a lot of attention and attendance.

Panel discussion for getting chemical weapons out of Syria - with
Michael Moodie and Dr. Susan Koch.

Interns with the Ambassador of Brazil

Two of our most recent events that we held were A Holiday Affair at the Ambassador of Brazil's residence and a Luncheon with Dr. Henry Kissinger!  We partnered with the American Academy of Diplomacy to host these events.  Both events were amazing and I had the opportunity to meet so many people who want to help me in my future - it makes me a little emotional to think about it because I feel so blessed.

Interns with the Ambassador of Singapore

Me with Dr. Vali R. Nasr, Dean of the Johns Hopkins Paul H.
Nitze School of Advanced International Studies

With Alexandra Huddleston - American photographer,
self-published author, and recipient of a Fulbright grant

I love the fact that the office feels like a family, and honestly, it is a family that cares about each other to the point that they make sure that my fellow interns and I have the opportunity to talk to a variety of individuals who can give us advice and help us with our futures.  Crazy enough, I have found a career path that fits me and have made connections with people who are helping me figure out what I need to do to get to where they are. 

With American author and public opinion pollster, John Zogby

One positive aspect that comes out of leaving my internship is the fact that now I have the experience and they would let me come back to intern with them again.  Next week is my last week to be with them, and the one thing that I have been hearing is that I should keep in touch and come back if I am ever in the area.  To hear those words spoken to me shows me that I am truly valued within the organization and that they will miss me.  I know that I will see them again someday and I plan to be in touch with them, so not everything is as sad as it could be.

The interns with Dr. Vali R. Nasr

I have expressed how much the class has meant to me before and what this opportunity means, but this experience has changed me in many ways and it is for the better.  I have grown to be more confident in myself and who I want to become, which is a big deal.  I was moving toward that path already, but in the few months that I have been here, the process has moved quickly.  My professor asked me if I would have done anything differently in the program, and all I could say is that I had no regrets.  Everything happened for a reason here, and of course I made some mistakes, but I learned from all of that and without it, I would be the person I am now.

At the Embassy of Singapore

My parents have noticed a change in me and so have some of my friends who I've seen when I go home, but my friends are Ferrum are going to be a bit surprised.  I have learned a lot and it is hard to express everything in words, but I now have a lot of experience that I can apply to many different aspects of the Ferrum community and the organizations that I am involved in.  Next semester is going to be interesting at Ferrum, but I am ready for the challenge.

You never know what opportunities are going to present themselves in your life. Some might seem a little scary or too big to handle, but as long as you go for it, things will work out and the end result will be a pivotal change in your life.  The poem that best summarizes everything is The Road Less Taken by Robert Frost.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim

Because it was grassy and wanted wear,

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Life is a funny thing, but we have to make the most of it and I know that mine is just getting started and is full of potential.  I do not know what the future will bring for me, but I am excited for the adventure!

Always On the Go

by Delana S., Panther Blogger

Let me start by saying that the fast-paced lifestyle of D.C. can be a bit overwhelming!  This past month, I have had a lot to do whether it's in class, my internship, or my work-study position.  Sometimes I do not see my room until 10:30 p.m. after starting my day at 8 a.m.!  It's not that different from just going to regular classes, but at the same time, it is a lot more work.

When it comes to my internship, I love it more and more as each day goes by!  My supervisor is really nice, the rest of the office staff is always asking me about my day, and the other interns have become like a family to me. This past month, we had about five to six events that were back to back, so we were non-stop busy inside and outside the office. I had the opportunity to meet representatives from the state department, embassies, and high-profile professionals from the DC area.
 

It always intrigues me how these professionals always take a vested interest in what you want to do with your future and what you are studying. In one instance, I met a dean from John's Hopkins who was impressed with a question I had asked and then who proceeded to talk to me after the event about my future. He even introduced me to one of his fellow colleagues.  Just seeing how some of the people go above and beyond continually impresses me and makes me feel so privileged to be able to meet them on a personal level and hear from their experience. 

One requirement of my program is that we have to interview a professional of our choice who has a career that we are interested in pursuing.  I interviewed a Public Relations / Public Affairs officer from the Embassy of Egypt.  We had met her when we first went to the embassy to learn about the status of Egypt with the Deputy Chief of Missions (DCM) and later on, I got in touch with her and asked her a million and one questions about her career, how she chose that path, advice she had for me, and whether or not I was on the right track to be qualified for the job.  It was nice to have that one-on-one experience with her and it helped me figure out that I do want to pursue that type of career!  I want to work for an embassy, and it is all a matter of figuring out how to successfully graduate from college, go to graduate school, and then get started with the career.  That is easier said than done, but I have met so many people who want to help me that I can't believe that this is my life right now!

To go along with that statement, I have had the opportunity to celebrate many cultural festivals in DC that you cannot see anywhere else in the United States. I have bought so many mementos that my parents are going to need a bigger vehicle to transport them home when it is time for me to leave!  Of course, everything will not be going back to Ferrum with me, but a good portion of my favorite items will. 

So far, I cannot name my favorite festival that I have encountered, but each and every one of them has brought something interesting to my life and I get to share all of these experiences with my roommate, Yumi.  Yumi is from Japan from a town near Okinawa.  This is her first time in the United States and she has had a blast so far!  During our fall break, Yumi came home with me to Virginia Beach and got to see an American football game, go to the beach, and get to know my family and best friend. She even received a few mementos from our trip and started calling my parents "mom" and "dad."  Being able to share these experiences with her and showing her where I live have been unique opportunities because I know where she is coming from and it is easier for her to be herself and be reminded of home. That is definitely true about my house, which is filled with Japanese and Italian culture.

I can honestly say that I have changed and grown more as an individual through these experiences.  It may seem like I am no longer the same person, but that is not true. I am just a little more conscious of who I am and who I want to be "when I grow up."  It makes me laugh when I think of that statement because when I talk to my parents about everything that I am doing and what I have learned, they are always amazed about what I have to say and the passion that they see me have for my studies and my pursuit of mentors who help me reach my goals. Things are still pretty hectic with having to complete a simulation, writing a conflict-resolution report, and completing my duties for my internship, but I would not have it any other way!

One Adventure to Another

by Delana S., Panther Blogger

It's been a while since I blogged, and let me say that my summer was filled with a lot of adventure!

The biggest adventure that I had was going to Disney World with my family for four days and traveling on the road for two weeks.  We had so much fun and had the opportunity to go to all of the theme parks and ride all of the rides. It has been years since my family has gone to Disney World, and our vacation this summer will always be in my memory.

The only downside to the vacation was that I was preparing to go to Washington, D.C. for the fall semester, so I had a lot of information and paperwork that I had to complete which required immediate attention. Thankfully, I got it all done on time!  Now, I am in DC having the adventure of a lifetime, and I must say it is interesting.

Life in DC is definitely different from what I am used to, and American University is huge. Ferrum's campus would barely cover a portion of the campus here, and let me just say that it is a bit overwhelming. I have completed about four weeks of classes and things are going great. I have met so many amazing people and have seen so many amazing sights.  It's funny to think about how we can be in a place so long and still be amazed with everything that we learn about it.

My Peace and Conflict Resolution Program is very hands-on and very intriguing because it focuses a lot on the Middle East.  We have two seminar classes and an internship portion that allows you to explore your interests.  Since we are in DC, we have gone to a lot of panels regarding many of the issues that are taking place, and they are all across the city. At the same time, I am going into my third week of my internship at the World Affairs Council of DC, and I am constantly busy!  Sometimes it is a good thing that I always have something that I need to do, and sometimes I would like to rest every now and then.  Every Sunday, my professor sends the weekly schedule of events, and this week promises to be a little more relaxed.

So far, I am doing very well in my classes and getting good grades, but that is because I was prepared for a lot of the material from various classes that I have taken at Ferrum. I am learning a lot and meeting very influential people, but nothing compares to being at Ferrum. At the same time, I am trying to keep a record of everything that I do here and am blogging here to share some of my day-to-day activities and thoughts. 

Ending the Semester

by Delana S., Panther Blogger

The semester is coming to an end and I have accomplished a lot over the past couple of weeks. For starters, I was inducted into Pi Sigma Alpha -- the National Political Science Honor Society -- and received recognition for best delegation during Model United Nations. I was also recognized as Sophomore of the Year, along with one of my good friends. These three things have shown me that hard work, dedication, and patience pay off in the end. Each of these recognitions and honors surprised me in many ways because it showed me that people really pay attention to the little things that you do on campus, and it is an honor to know that my name was the first one that came to mind.

To add more icing to the cake, I made it into Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, and most importantly, I was accepted to attend the Washington Semester Program at American University. I was specifically accepted into the Peace and Conflict Resolution program at the school, and let me just say that I am very excited to be able to participate in a program such as this one. Within the program, I am able to take classes in which the credits will transfer back to Ferrum and I will be able to participate in an internship. At the same time, I will also have the opportunity to travel abroad, and this is all within one semester!  At first this all seems overwhelming, but for me, it feels just right, especially since I have to do so much on my own and figure out a lot of specifics, such as my classes, my meal plan, and where I am going to live.

My parents are very proud of me because this is a wonderful opportunity to start focusing on what I really want to do for the future and the direction that my life is going. Honestly, my uncle seems like he is more excited for me to attend the program because he lives close to DC and knows exactly where the school is located. He has already told me that as soon as I start getting settled in at the school, he is going to take me out around the city and show me some of the cool places to go up there. I love being at Ferrum with all of my heart, but when an opportunity such as this one presents itself, you have to take it because you don't want to live your life with "what if's...".  The good thing though is that I will be back for spring semester with a lot more knowledge, as well as a few stories.

Ferrum opens a lot of doors for students, and it is up to us to figure out which ones we want to open and which ones we want to leave closed, but you always have to remember that it is always good to pick the one that will benefit you in the future.

Opportunities!

by Delana S., Panther Blogger

This past week was been an interesting one. I was honored at the Women's Leadership Conference for my leadership, was accepted to be in Phi Alpha Theta, and have the opportunity to apply for an internship in Washington D.C.  To have all of these opportunities means a lot to me because I have the chance to show who I am and also create a future for myself that I am actively choosing and taking part in.

Phi Alpha Theta is the international honor society in history, and you have to be invited to join. For me, this is really big because it is starting to show how involved I am with my studies and how that is making a difference in my life. I am very excited about this!

I am also excited for the internship that I am applying for because by participating in that program, I would be able to work within my major and meet experts in the field. It would give me a good glimpse into many different fields of study that I am interested in and allow me to network with future employers.

Other than that, the only things that take up a lot of my time are finishing my degree plan, which is my plan for graduating on time, and doing homework for all of my classes. Things seem to be getting more promising for the upcoming weeks, so I can't wait to see what is in store for me.

My Internship Experiences

by Maryann C., Panther Blogger

During my last semester here at Ferrum College, I have been doing two internships with the Franklin County Public School System. I have been working with a fifth-grade class at Ferrum Elementary for one of those internships. I have really enjoyed working with these kids. So far, I have administered a spelling test, helped students work on writing essays and helped students make corrections to their essays. I also have been assigned to work with one student on her reading comprehension. I have just started working with her, and we are in the process of figuring out where she is in her understanding of reading and writing. Working with this young student on an individual level is going to be a great experience for both her and me. I have never worked with this age group in an academic setting and it is truly a great experience.

My second internship through the Franklin County School System is at the Gereau Center. I am in the process of working with fellow classmates, faculty here at Ferrum College, and faculty at the Gereau Center. We are working to create lesson plans incorporating data that the CEED building collects. So far this has been a very different and challenging experience. Trying to figure out how to incorporate real data into a lesson plan has proven to be challenging. However, I have just recently finished my first lesson plan and I am very pleased with it. I hope that it will get easier now that I am starting to get the hang of it. Working with my assigned faculty member has been a great experience as well. She is very helpful and resourceful. I am looking forward to see what other types of lesson plans my fellow classmates and I come up with.

New Experiences

by Maryann C., Panther Blogger

This is my last semester at Ferrum College. I am having many different emotions about this fact. I feel excited, nervous, scared, sad, and glad all at the same time! I thought my last semester at Ferrum would not have any new experiences for me; after all, I have been here for four years. I felt like I had done everything there was to do. Well, I was wrong!

This semester, I am doing an internship at Ferrum Elementary School and an "externship" at the Gereau Center in the nearby Town of Rocky Mount.  The Gereau Center is part of the Franklin County middle school where 8th graders go for half of the school year.

Working at Ferrum Elementary School is going to be a very new experience for me. I am studying secondary education, so I have not worked with this younger age group in school before. I have met with my cooperating teacher once and have observed her class one time so far. Based on my first impression, I think I'm going to have a great time working with these kids and learn a lot from my cooperating teacher.

I have done internships at the Gereau Center before, but this one is going to be very different for my cooperating teacher and me. This semester, one of my main focuses is to create lesson plans that all the teachers could access and use that they desire. Let me explain.

At the Gereau Center, they have what is called the CEED Building. It is an environmentally-stable building, and it uses energy from the environment - such as wind and solar - to power itself. The CEED Building also collects data, such as temperature, precipitation, and carbon dioxide levels. My goal is to take the data that the CEED Building collects and use it to create lesson plans, and then make those lesson plans accessible to all teachers.

I am very excited to begin working in both of these internships with the Franklin County Public School system.  I think I am going to learn a lot and of course gain experience. It's amazing how the faculty and staff at Ferrum College never cease to go beyond my expectations with the opportunities and support they provide.

Interview with Alumna Vanessa Torres, '12

Just before the holidays, we caught up with alumna and former Panther Blogger Vanessa Torres to see how life's been treating her since she graduated in May 2012.  Majoring in Spanish and minoring in English and Journalism while at Ferrum College, Vanessa maintained a busy schedule with academics as well as being a captain of the women's lacrosse team, active member of the Delta Phi Epsilon international sorority, News Editor for the Iron Blade, and a Panther Blogger.  Check out Vanessa's previous blog posts here.  Now thriving as an aspiring career woman, she kindly took some time out of her new schedule to interview with us!  So, without further ado...

FC:  Vanessa, you've been a college graduate for a little over 6 months now...how do you like it?
Vanessa:  So far, I'm really enjoying my life in the "real world."  It has been good to me since I graduated.

FC: Do you miss college?
Vanessa:  I definitely miss Ferrum, my friends, professors, coaches, teammates, sorority sisters...and my trips to the 77 restaurant!

FC: What parts of being a career woman do you enjoy the most?
Vanessa:  I enjoy being able to wake up and go to work at a place that I absolutely enjoy and with people I love to work with.

My colleague, Doug Hemming, and me at the Harlem Book Fair in NYC. It was my first trip as an intern!

FC: What are the challenges you have faced so far?
Vanessa:  I wouldn't necessarily call them challenges; I would call them opportunities to learn.  When new tasks were presented to me, I would ask all the questions I could. I knew that if I did, I would do the assignment right the first time. I think that many people get scared of asking questions because they think others will think they are incapable of doing the assignment. But to me, it shows that you really want it.

FC: What is your job now?  Can you explain what you do and what you're up to now?

Testing out the live feed for a live Skype interview
with students from Miami University in Ohio
and our host from our show The Washington Journal.

Vanessa:  My title is Marketing Assistant at C-SPAN. I assist my supervisor with premiums, ads on Facebook, sales, and anything he may need me to do. I've also had the opportunity to travel with the C-SPAN digital bus and spread the mission of C-SPAN.  Currently, I am working on premiums, sales, and ads for the next fiscal year, along with our new original First Ladies Series that begins in February 2013.

FC: How closely does this job compare to what you wanted to do for a career after college?
Vanessa:  Marketing and Communications has always been a field I've wanted to be a part of.  I'm happy I was able to start off on the right foot with C-SPAN.

FC: How soon after graduating did you find your job?  How did you find out about the position?
Vanessa:  Well, my temporary job initially started from an internship. It was actually quite interesting how it all worked out. My mom's friend's daughter's neighbor (sorry, very confusing!), who is a radio producer at C-SPAN, connected me to the human resources specialist who was in charge of the internships. I had applied for the internship in January 2012, had my interview in late February, and found out that I got the internship at the end of April. From there, I worked very hard, met some great people, and was mentored toward the right direction. I started my internship in June, and in late July, a temporary job position opened up. I was asked if I'd be interested in applying. I applied, had an interview, and 4 days later, I heard that I got the position.  I was beyond excited!  As I started my new temporary job during the first week of August, I knew my hard work and enthusiasm had paid off.

Me at the Library of Congress: National Book Festival. The festival took place at the National Mall.

FC: How was the transition from the internship to the full-time temporary job?  Did you position change?

Me and the C-SPAN 'Road to the White House' bus
when it came to visit DC while I was an intern.

Vanessa:  It was definitely a great transition. I stayed with the same department and got the chance to work with the same people, only this time, I worked with our creative team. My position had definitely changed from intern to employee.

FC: What kind of unique opportunities or special projects have you had at your jobs that have expanded your experience?
Vanessa:  The Republican National Convention and the Democratic National Convention was definitely one of the biggest projects I was able to help on. I had to contact many states to find out their delegate count, which events they were attending, hotels where they were staying, and so on. Everything was so fast-paced and fun!  I was able to talk to so many people from different parties and get to see both sides of the conventions and how they worked.

I also got the chance to travel with the C-SPAN "Road to the White House" Digital bus to Ohio for a week. Since Ohio was a big battleground state, we visited different universities to talk to students about C-SPAN resources and how they could use them to learn more about this year's election.

FC: Do you have any "favorite moments" from your new job?

My boyfriend, Jesus Diaz FC Alumnus '11,
and I at this year's C-SPAN holiday party

Vanessa:  Since the Olympics were going on during the summer, our Social Media Specialist made a video called "C-SPAN Olympics," which starred my entire department. This video just shows how much fun the people I work with are!  Please check it out:  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ovmZXeBhQA

FC: Any "favorite moments" from post-college life?
Vanessa:  Definitely getting hired, making the greatest friends at C-SPAN, going to some awesome places in D.C., and getting to see the underground subway in the U.S. Capitol!

FC: Do you have any future goals for your career or plans to continue your education?
Vanessa:  I'm hoping that I get hired permanently after my temporary job is finished. Crossing my fingers!  I'll continue to walk up these stairs to success and happiness that I aspire for myself. In a couple of years, I will probably look into graduate school somewhere in D.C. or northern Virginia. 

FC: Were there any courses, professors, or experiences at Ferrum that you think particularly helped you prepare for your job?
Vanessa:  Most every single professor taught me something valuable at Ferrum. Those who worked with me knew how much it meant and know that they have contributed something special to my future; they know who they are, and I thank them!

It's important to be a team player. It's important to see the bigger picture -- what will be important tomorrow and then what you think is important today. There is so much more out there to look forward to, and you have to have the right attitude and motivation.  These insights and experience came from being a part of a great organization, Delta Phi Epsilon, and a great team, Ferrum women's lacrosse.  It takes a strong and determined person to get to your goal, I believe that person is in everyone.

Some of my colleagues in the Marketing Department and boyfriend, from left:
Rachel, myself, Jesus D., Jessica and our VP of Marketing, Marty.

FC: Any other information or stories you'd like to share with us?
Vanessa:  Here's a fun fact:  in 2008, the C-SPAN digital bus visited my high school, and that was the first time I had ever seen it. During my interview for my internship, I mentioned that I wanted to work with the marketing digital bus because I thought it was so cool the way they took the time to interact with young people and teach them about our government.

And a bit of advice to others pursuing a career:  don't be shy!  Talk to people!  Networking is key!

FC:  Thanks for taking the time to interview with us, Vanessa!  We're glad you're enjoying success and thriving in the beginning of your career.  Best wishes on your future endeavors, and hopefully, we can catch up with you again sometime!

Vanessa:  Yes, anytime!  I'm so glad you all reached out to me!  Thank you so much, and I'll let you know when I'm in Ferrum again and see if I can stop by.