About two months ago I was exhausted, burnt out, confused, and anxious working my way through internship applications.  The application was for a Child Life internship, which I have dreamt of becoming I discovered the profession during my freshman year of college.  I originally entered University of Utah as a biology major because of my interest in science, then getting used to the big auditorium lectures and different way of teaching decreased my desire to pursue this major.  I was lost after receiving my midterm back from that class with the lowest grade I have ever gotten in my life.  I sought out to the freshmen counselor at the student services building that same week to discuss my other options while still maintaining my passion for working with children.  She told me about Child Life Specialists and as I researched more about it I felt that it was a perfect fit for me.

Unfortunately the U didn’t have a Child Life major but I was fortunate enough to be enrolled in a school where the courses taught by certified Child Life Specialists existed so that I could still graduate with the emphasis.  I decided to take an additional emphasis on child life and enrolled in courses in Early Childhood Education to attain a more holistic understanding of children.

Internship applications took so much work but I couldn’t complain since it was my chance to get closer to my dreams.  I met with the career counselor to work on my cover letters and resume, met with writing center staffs to work on my application and essay questions, and my best friend helped me with prepping for presentations and to keep me sane.

I first looked at applying at few places out in New York and New Jersey.  Then as the due date got closer I added more hospitals to apply to my list.  After numerous sleepless nights, appointments, and panic attack moments, I managed to apply at 11 hospitals and landed 4 interviews.  Woo!

After 1 presentation, 2 in person interviews, and 3 phone interviews I was finally done with the hideous interview weeks.  It was hard to remain positive after bombing some phone interviews and I was saddened that I couldn’t visit the hospital to do some of the interviews in person.

I must’ve done something right though.

On June 11, 2013.  The official offer date, I had planned a lunch date with a friend to keep me distracted.  But I was up before 6 am constantly refreshing the email app on my phone.  Then I received the first offer call from Primary Children’s Medical Center and second called proceeded by a wonderful staff from Sacramento.  I was excited yet nervous to hear from NY still.  I stepped away from my computer to get ready then before I stepped outside I decided to check my email once again.  Then there it was! An email from Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York; I was hesitant to open because I was scared to see what it contained.  Then I saw the first word “Congratulations”, my vision went blank.  I couldn’t even read the email, and out of excitement I started to cry.  All the worries and hard work I had put into this was finally paying off.  I called my parents (it was 2 am there) to let them know and to share the moment of joy together.  I did ended up re-doing my make up but I didn’t mind at all.

It has been two weeks since I have accepted the offer and have decided to move to New York but it’s still surreal to me.  I am so so so excited to be closer to my dreams, to intern at an amazing hospital, and to be reunited with my older brother who has always been my role model.

Xoxo,
Until next post