Experiences
On this page you will find volunteering opportunities I have done. You will also find a previous job I have worked at with children in Auburn. All throughout, I have many hours working with kids of all ages. Some are hospitalized, some are in stressful situations, and others are children with no current stressors.
Volunteering with Children's of Alabama
For 50Â hours in total, I volunteer under a certified child life specialist at Children's of Alabama. I am currently working in the Emergency Department, with patients in the waiting room. We color, play with playdoh, or have conversations. I also clean and wipe down all of the toys any patients play with. This volunteering opportunity has provided me with knowledge and hands on experience in a hospital setting. Volunteering at Children's of Alabama is my first time working with patients in a hospital, and its given me the opportunity to dip my toes into a real day-to-day work setting!
Volunteering for Our House
Our House is an incredible non-profit that centers around love, Jesus, and serving their community. We work with children in the government funded homes in Auburn to help them with homework, apply for colleges, but to also be there for them and get to know them. This learning experience has prepared me to know that life is more than what you can learn in a text book. Nothing could have prepared me for some of the lessons I have learned while volunteering at Our House. Things like not knowing what kids go through daily, is something that will help me in the future. Patience will help me as a professional when working in child life. Being patient with these kids has allowed me to learn a lot. You need to check on them mentally, see what good came out of their day, or even see what they are looking forward to in the week. Being patient and understanding will take you far.
Working at Auburn Day School
Auburn Day School is a STEM preschool located in Auburn, Alabama. There, I am an assistant preschool teacher who reads with the kids, takes photos to send to the parents, communicates with the parents, and cleans everything down at the end of the day. Working at Auburn Day School has helped me further develop my interaction skills by engaging with children, specifically their parents for communication. Over the summer, Auburn Day School held summer STEM camps, and this allowed me to work with children of all ages by being the lead in different classes. Interacting with kids and their families helped me realize how much I love the field of work that I am in.