1. Guidelines for future interns
Practicum-Spring 2008
By Ximena Burgos, BS
Guidelines for future interns

2. Advise from past students
If possible, try not to have another job and work full-time in your practicum.
Not all the Organizations will have hours for you to work after 5pm (time you’ll get out of work).
Do a very deep search of Organizations and find the one that best suits you.
Make the search with time so you don’t have to decide at the last minute and have to work for 4-5 months in something you don’t like.

3. Start the internship as soon as possible.
Talk to the practicum supervisor as soon as you can and make the schedule arrangements so you don’t have to be wrapping things up the last day before everything need to be turned in.
If possible, have a laptop
Sometimes non-profit organization don’t have unlimited funds and computers might be outdated or not there at all.

4. Enjoy everything that you do and make this a learning and fun experience.
Xavier Estala
American Lung Association
Practicum student- Fall 2007

5. Planned Parenthood Planned Parenthood was an excellent place to work.
Everybody was very nice and supportive to all UTEP students.
I gain a lot of experience and have the opportunity to have a flexible schedule.
Veronica Cobos
Planned Parenthood
Practicum Student- Fall 2007

6. I had an excellent experience at the El Paso City-County Health and Environmental Department.
All the staff was very helpful and friendly.
You have to be prepared for change.
Be prepare to do research
I did not have a computer for my use in the department and had to borrow one.

7. El Paso City-County Health and Environment Department
Start as soon as possible.
Ask as many questions as you need.
I was not aware of how far the internship was, so I had to drove a lot.
Search for an internship that is also close to you in case you don’t own a car or have a way of transportation.
Priscilla Silvas
El Paso City-County Health and Environment Department
Practicum Student- Fall 2007

8. Planned Parenthood
An Internship allows us to truly appreciate what our passion is and to observe what is really happening in the real world.
Be yourself
Be thankful
Priscilla Garcia
Planned Parenthood
Practicum Student- Fall 2007

9. Thomason Women’s Health Center
If you want to do an internship at Thomason Women’s Center they must have these clearance requirements at least a month before internship starts.
You must have your CPR up to date.
Liability insurance ($17)
City-Wide Orientation (CWO)
Background check and drug screening

10. Be willing to stay after hours and work on Saturdays
You must have immunization up to date (PPD, T/D, Varicella titer, MMR titer and Hepatitis B (3 series)
Be willing to stay after hours and work on Saturdays
Nadia Martinez
Thomason Women’s Health Center
Practicum Student- Fall 2007

11. Highlands Regional Rehabilitation Hospital
Always be eager to learn
Try to get the internship in a place where you see yourself working at.
Network. “it’s not what you know, but who you know”
Always offer your help.
If you don’t know something, ASK!
Be responsible
Myriam Leyva
Practicum Student- Fall 2008

12. El Paso City-County Health & Environment Department
Observe and ask questions when you don’t know something
“I recommend this place for interns who want a challenge, because this is a great opportunity to learn and enhance the knowledge in Health Education”
You need to be very organize.
Dress professional
Marissa Rodriguez
Practicum Students-Fall 2008

13. In general….. Be initiative Give valuable ideas Act professionally
Prove that you are flexible and open
Complete your hours as soon as you can
Try to dedicate the semester to the practicum and don’t be taking classes the same semester.
Stay positive

14. GOOD LUCK!!!!