Since I’ve gotten back, I have just started a new internship at the hospital, here in Wisconsin. I am part of a group there, called Project Search, which is a program for people with disabilities to do an internship in preparation for finding a permanent job in the near future. So far, I have just completed my first rotation there, in The Heart and Vascular Center and I’ll be going into my second rotation sometime this week in Distribution. I absolutely love working there, and I honestly really enjoyed my time spent in my first rotation. Since I arrived late in the middle of the program, I unfortunately will not be able to do all three rotations like everyone else.

However, I am still extremely grateful that I am able to still be a part of the program. In my first rotation in The Heart and Vascular Center, I had a variety of tasks that I was responsible for. I had a checklist that I went through to complete each task. In the morning when it was time for us to go to our rotations, I would walk down a long tunnel in the lower level of the hospital, to get there. I would first go to the Department Assistants office, where I would prepare packets of information, or prepare folders that would later be given to patients.

Next, I would fold letters to and put them into envelopes, and then put them in a box to be sent out to people. Some of the other jobs I did included sanitizing the waiting area and the gym, and restocking coffee supplies as well as sanitizing the staff break room. I loved having a list to do things in order, as well as the fact that it was very repetitive.

Although a lot of people find repetition mundane or boring, for me it gives me a sense of security and comfort, because I know just what I’m going to do each day, and usually nothing is too unexpected. Not only that, but I find it truly rewarding because I know that with each job I do there, I am giving patients a better experience, and I am making a difference!

Like I said before I am soon to be starting a new rotation soon in Distribution, and I am both very excited, and also admittedly a little anxious about trying something that I’ve never done before. Not only is the work experience itself very fulfilling, but also the majority of my coworkers are all very welcoming and are usually willing to help me with anything. Although I have not yet invited anyone to hang out outside of work, I would like to eventually invite two people over who both seem very nice. (I will change their names for privacy reasons.)

K, I would like to invite over, because I can tell that we both share an interest in clothing and fashion and although I have not told her yet, I always admire her outfit choices and look forward to see what she’ll be wearing the next day. I don’t know if I have anything in common with H yet, but I can tell from working with her that she is very nice and has a unique sense of humor. I really love working there and I can’t wait until I have a permanent job- I may possibly even get to keep working at the hospital! My dream job is to someday be a published poet as well as to illustrate my own books someday. I know that because of this opportunity I have a much bigger chance of getting my dream job eventually. Although I will be sad when Project Search is over, I am also super excited because it’s not the end- it’s just the next step towards a new career!