Intern Profile: Corey Klein

I interned at the Literacy Council of Brown County because I wanted to explore a possible career option in Human Services while utilizing my Spanish skills.  This was a great opportunity to witness the adaptation process for many immigrant families and understand the work of nonprofit organizations in assisting these people while they learn English and still hold onto their native culture.     

My internship responsibilities included supervising children ages 1-7, creating an environment that encouraged learning another language, and assessing the skills of some children.  I was able to use my Spanish skills in one-on-one settings and in interpreting for the nurses.  During this time I gained experience in cultural awareness and customs, and learned more about what families go through on a daily basis in order to adapt to American culture.  By using Spanish skills I had learned in the classroom, I also became better at communicating with the Hispanic families and became more culturally sensitive.   

I feel my internship has prepared me for my future and has helped me develop as a professional by making me aware of the social factors that contribute to the experiences of immigrants.  I also feel that this internship forced me to be very observant of childrens’ behaviors and how they react to similarities or differences in other people. I became observant of the various levels of learning abilities as well.