Each semester in my social work program, the current interns are responsible for the social work conference at the university. Agencies come to speak with the incoming interns and set up interviews before the students enter their field practicum. The current interns also have tables with displays and the students come around to ask about the agencies and the interns’ experiences there.

We had a small cohort this semester. The good thing about that is that we were able to get to know everyone well. Downside was there were fewer responsible for completing tasks. However, we worked together very well and were organized. We ended up with a LOT of goodie bag donations for conference attendees. We also went overboard with the snacks and ended up taking home a good deal. The non-perishables will be brought to our last seminar for the end of semester celebration.

All my classmates displays were wonderful! So creative and colorful! In moments when I was idle I would look around and watch them talking to those coming to their tables and I enjoyed seeing them speak so animatedly about the agencies and their experiences.

I did take a few minutes to go to the agency tables to thank them for coming. I saw someone from an agency I had interviewed with before my field practicum and they asked about my internship and how I was doing. Their warm greeting was special to me. There was one agency that I had not seen before; a great resource that I am glad was at the conference looking for an intern. My agency was there, of course, and the program director was at the table.

We also had some expert PowerPoint presentation makers! We had one for the opening time and when we each introduced ourselves. There was a slide for each intern with their name, agency, and some photos of them at their agency. Each workshop had one, of course. Myself and one other made a short one that included QR codes to documents we thought would be useful for the incoming interns, that was for the final Q&A at the end.

Our group of interns received many compliments about the conference and workshops, especially about our matching shirts. That was a splurge, but they are very nice T-shirts and it was fun to be matching.

I am so grateful to be in this cohort! Such wonderful people. I am also glad we made time outside of class to get to know each other and form new friendships. Before each seminar class we would meet for breakfast at a cafe nearby. Such lively conversation and so many laughs! Through those meetings, I have been encouraged by them and have learned more about the agencies they are working in. All of them are dedicated and passionate. I am so very proud of us all and I cannot wait to see the great things we will all do!