Through Eggleston’s Summer Employment opportunities, local high school and college students were able to work as paid interns directly supporting the individuals Eggleston serves. Internships at Eggleston give students the chance to expand their ideas of what they might consider doing for schooling or a career. Here are some of their testimonials on what their summer internships entailed:
Shaniya, 11th grade
Future Educational Field of Study: Robotics Engineering and Human Services
I’ve had a fantastic summer at Tanners Creek Day Program. It was one of the most incredible experiences I’ve ever had. Every day I wake up excited to go to work. I had a great time meeting all the individuals. Every day at Tanners Creek was a new adventure. I learned so much from the individuals about being patience and understanding. The individuals at Tanners Creek have helped me more than they know. Tanners Creek Day program staff are some of the funniest and friendliest people you could meet. They taught me that everyone is unique in their way, but we are all still special.
In my time here, I’ve learned plenty of domestic skills like proper sanitization to ensure Health and Safety. I’ve learned things I can use at home, like remaining calm in times of crisis. I’ve also learned proper documentation, which will truly help me in school. Eggleston’s Summer Employment helped advance my writing and work on my grammar and spelling. I’ve learned how to enable individuals with different needs by talking to them to provide the best support and asking them questions throughout the day to keep them on task and help them progress. In my time here, I have noticed everyone needs different things to be the best they can be. The most important thing I learned is that I love helping others, which makes me happy!
Phillips, 11th Grade
Future Educational Field of Study: Psychology/ Human Services
During the short period, I was granted the opportunity to work at Eggleston; I was blessed to have gotten the chance to experience as much as I did. Working here has allowed me to grow in the best possible way. I never had a specific path I wanted my career to follow, but working at Eggleston has made it crystal clear that I want to support people in any way I can. In this environment, I have learned so much from each individual I have been lucky to work with. Creating a bond with these individuals has been the highlight of my year. Being able to come to work and learn something new every day is one of the best things about working here. I come to work every day, never knowing what I will encounter that day. Some days we go out into the community and get the chance to work with a wide variety of people; other days, we engage in new activities amongst familiar faces.
Everyone is unique in their own way; getting to know them has been the light in my life. Working here has helped me grow and expand my friendships, think more positively in every situation I face, and see from others’ points of view. These qualities help me in school, home, life, and other work environments. Saying I am lucky to have been given this opportunity is an understatement. The lessons I have learned here will carry on with me forever, and I could not be more thankful for that. Everyone here at Eggleston has made the most significant impact on my life. They are the sweetest, most caring people I have ever met. They bring light to any situation and always know how to build people up. At Eggleston, everyone is seen as equals; this allows everyone to mesh together nicely. This also creates a very positive environment and allows everyone to speak kindly to one another. Overall, Eggleston Summer Employment has been one of the best decisions I have ever made and has taught me many valuable lessons I will carry with me wherever I go.
Lily, 11th Grade
Future Educational Field of Study: Data Analytics with a minor in Psychology
I consider myself to be extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to work at Eggleston. I’ve never had a particular profession in my mind for the future, but when a peer approached me with a proposition to work at Eggleston, it was like a gravitational pull I couldn’t oppose. Eggleston, in my experience, has strongly impacted my life for the better. Working here for the past two months has not only opened doors for me in the future but also aided me in the present. The people I work with, whom I can now consider my friends and mentors, have imparted priceless knowledge that has helped me develop into the person I have always aspired to be. The new environment, people, and opportunities provided by Eggleston enabled me to step outside of myself and view the world in a new way that was previously foreign to me. I can confidently state that working here was one of the best decisions I could have made for myself. I will continue to apply what I have learned here to better myself and the world around me.