Adonis Archer interned with Project SOAR at Pima Community College to serve students with disabilities and gain experience in higher education.
Why did you choose this internship and what did you do throughout your experience?
I was fortunate enough to receive my internship with Project SOAR after interviewing for their writing tutor opportunity. I chose this internship opportunity because I was looking for the ability to gain experience working with students in a higher education setting.
My work throughout the internship was profoundly focused on tutoring Pima Community College students that either have a physical and/or learning disability. The chance to work in academia was something I was seeking because I have always been interested in teaching and wanted to see if it was something I enjoyed.
As a tutor I would only work with students one and one, and this was a significant responsibility. I needed the ability to express my thoughts in many ways to aid the learning process of a student. A large portion of being a tutor is having the confidence in your own knowledge on a subject, but also the ability to then express your thoughts clearly and concisely. Sometimes you may need to say the same thing in a couple different ways for a student to grasp the information.
The most fulfilling and meaningful part of my internship was when a student would leave a tutoring session excited to continue their coursework, because they now feel confident in their abilities. Working in academia has impacted me greatly because I believe the work that I do matters. I feel a sense of joy being able to help others and it has reinforced my desire to work in education.
How was the internship related to your Applied Humanities degree?
My internship relates to my Applied Humanities degree because with a transdisciplinary education and working in a professional setting I have been able to learn a variety of skills that then allow me the ability to adjust to any work setting. I was able to directly apply the interpersonal and cognitive skills I have learned within my coursework throughout the semester, which helped guide me in my internship. When I would have a student schedule another appointment it was gratifying because it would show their trust in me and represents the positive effects tutoring can have.
What advice do you have for other students as they search for and/or begin their internship?
My biggest advice for other students as they search for their internship is to work in a field that truly interests you, and not just take the first opportunity that presents itself because you just want to check that box and move on. Always remember to apply yourself and be ambitious.