For my 2017 senior project I would pursue a service learning project. There are many different kinds of categories that I could have chosen, but I think that a service learning project would be the best category to fit me, my schedule, and interests. My plan is to combine learning, community service, and volunteerism to produce my project. I need approval from advisory and also research more about my topic for the final project. I hope to learn how I can handle intense situations where I need to think on my feet to help someone in need. I am thinking for my future as I would like to pursue a career as a child life specialist or something similar.
Throughout my community and state there is a need for counseling services. I propose to volunteer through Avera Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. For two to three hours, two days a week, I will volunteer to complete the minimum forty hours for my project. In addition to Avera I will choose at least two other organizations to volunteer with. I am looking into organizing a pop tab fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald house. Another possibility for a fundraiser could be a toy drive for any of the places I volunteer at that are in need of new toys.
I have found and asked Lara Langelett to be my mentor for this project. She is qualified for this because she has a master degree in school counseling, elementary, and special Ed certified. She has taken three webinars for hospice, which is an originations which deals with grief. Lara has researched so much about grief and has presented at South Dakota Counseling Association: children dealing with grief.
The experience most excites me about this project. Being able to experience scenarios that would help me decide if I could pursue this as a career in my future. I am very excited to learn how to help change a child's life. It could be the smallest things to do with them, but mean the most to them, and even though at times it could be hard I want to be a change in children's lives. This project could also show me other career paths I have never even thought of before, and could be something I would be more interested in.
Initial Timeline:
Summer:
Volunteer at three organizations
Maybe meet with Lara a few times about my project
Job shadow with a Child Life Specialists
Fall:
Meet with Lara on experiences while volunteering
Finish anything up I may need for my project to be complete
Throughout my community and state there is a need for counseling services. I propose to volunteer through Avera Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. For two to three hours, two days a week, I will volunteer to complete the minimum forty hours for my project. In addition to Avera I will choose at least two other organizations to volunteer with. I am looking into organizing a pop tab fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald house. Another possibility for a fundraiser could be a toy drive for any of the places I volunteer at that are in need of new toys.
I have found and asked Lara Langelett to be my mentor for this project. She is qualified for this because she has a master degree in school counseling, elementary, and special Ed certified. She has taken three webinars for hospice, which is an originations which deals with grief. Lara has researched so much about grief and has presented at South Dakota Counseling Association: children dealing with grief.
The experience most excites me about this project. Being able to experience scenarios that would help me decide if I could pursue this as a career in my future. I am very excited to learn how to help change a child's life. It could be the smallest things to do with them, but mean the most to them, and even though at times it could be hard I want to be a change in children's lives. This project could also show me other career paths I have never even thought of before, and could be something I would be more interested in.
Initial Timeline:
Summer:
Fall:
Twitter Hashtag:
#JSproject17