VOCATIONAL INTERNSHIP REPORT

VOCATIONAL INTERNSHIP REPORT

María Fernanda Cifuentes

How was the experience enriching to the career you selected?

My experience has been grateful and enriching. It has been exactly what I expected to be and even more, a lot of work by taking care of the dogs and cats of the shelter. Taking care of them isn't that simple, it includes cleaning them and their cages and on top of it, give them a lot of love. It has been difficult to make connections with some of the animals and see them suffering.

How did you feel?

• First I felt really nervous about everything, but then I tried my best to be as useful as the others in the shelter and by now I feel like I'm  part of the team and all has been great. It wasn't hard at all to adapt to the shelter because I've already have been in relatable activities in the past, and it felt familiar by doing the chores. It’s really, really tired though, it’s not about just taking care of them, i’ts cleaning their space, cleaning their plates and bath them.

What was the most difficult aspect along the working experience?

• One of the most difficult experience is that I have to watch how they operate the dogs, by open them and geld them. I have been working on cats, by taking care of them while they are anesthetized, and I have to give them heat so they can actually wake up from the anesthesia.
• I never truly liked watching blood, but when I see or imagine animals suffering it makes me feel bad or even dizzy. So it’s actually difficult to me to watch or take care of dying or suffering animals.

what did you learn from the interaction with others?

• I’m still learning about how to use the correct instruments, but I think if I prepare myself more I can learn even more in this two weeks.
• The doctors are really helpful my explaining me the instructions and how I can help a cat when it has to wake up or treat the dogs that have wounds.

HOW DO YOU SEE YOURSELF AS A TEAM MEMBER?

• Still helping them in the place they put me, and operate the animals by myself, thanks of the experience they gave me.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM YOUR AUTHORITIES AND COLLEAGUES?

• To be early and to be thankful that they have a good job, where they help this poor animals to be in a shelter with water, food, and attention.

DO YOU THINK YOU WERE A FUNCTIONAL STAFF MEMBER? DID YOU CONTRIBUTE TO ENRICH THE INSTITUTION WITH YOUR WORK?

HOW DIFFERENT IS WORKING FROM GOING TO SCHOOL?

•  I think I was functional because they’re not a lot of staff members, so by me, helping them it’s useful. I contribute my helping them on what they need, what they ask me to. It’s very tired, I have to work 5 hours straight and it’s not easy, it’s a lot of work and I respect what they do.

are you the same individual after experiencing real life at workplace? overall, what did you learn about life and your professional career?

• No I’m certainly not. I was thinking that a work that like would be just take care of them but it’s really hard. I learn that there are bad and mean people, who don’t think about what are they doing to this animals, because they don’t know what it’s happening. I really think this can be my career because I really enjoy being near animals and make their day a little better.

• DID YOUR DECISION OF BECOMING A PROFESSIONAL IN THE AREA YOU SELECTED VARY SOMEHOW? WILL YOU CONTINUE TO PURSUE THE SAME CAREER?
•  I will study this and become a veterinarian.  I will have my own shelter and will help all the animals that suffer from humans.  

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