On Winter Break

The College Intern Blog is on winter break
(along with the interns).
The blog will return on January 17, 2009.

The content on this blog is not offered as legal advice or guidance. Consult your college, advisor, or internship supervisor for help with issues surrounding internships. © 2008 Mary Bold, PhD, CFLE. Dr. Bold is a co-author of the book Reflections: Preparing for your Practicum or Internship, geared to college interns in the child, education, and family fields. More about Dr. Bold can be learned at www.marybold.com

Acknowledging Multiple Places of Worship

Holiday seasons bring attention to religion but the following tip is good for year-round references to places of worship.

If you have a place of worship, that may influence your language in referring to locations for faith practice. Even if you do not have a place or worship, you may be influenced by the common language in your community. But, of course, "common language" does not always represent all the options for worship locations.

So, any time you are tempted to name a place of worship, consciously name several. For example, your new phrases might be:

"...when people go to church or synagogue or temple..."

"...when people go to church or temple or mosque..."

You get the idea! Don't worry about listing every possible place of worship. And switch the words around in any order you like. By mentioning more than one location, you acknowledge that many religions co-exist in your community. Someone in your audience will appreciate your effort.

The content on this blog is not offered as legal advice or guidance. Consult your college, advisor, or internship supervisor for help with issues surrounding internships. © 2008 Mary Bold, PhD, CFLE. Dr. Bold is a co-author of the book Reflections: Preparing for your Practicum or Internship, geared to college interns in the child, education, and family fields. More about Dr. Bold can be learned at www.marybold.com

Interns' Responses to Holiday Greetings

If a client or colleague offers a holiday greeting that doesn't match your own experience (for example, "Merry Christmas" has nothing to do with your Hanukkah celebration), just smile and say, "Thank you for thinking of me."

If a client or colleague asks about your holiday, you can feel free talk about it! A good strategy is the Teaspoon Talk Tip. Offer one teaspoon of information. Let your client or colleague ask for more. In the workplace, there is an unwritten rule that people should not "push" their beliefs onto others. This almost always relates to religious belief, although political affiliation and other strong beliefs fall into the same category.

You can be assured of not offending anyone if you adopt the Teaspoon technique and use it only as a response to questions. Of course, just as you can expect cordial reception of your "teaspoons" of information, you will want to adopt the same gracious attitude when other people tell you about their beliefs.

In conversation with clients, you may find it necessary to only listen, and not share your own belief. Often, your work with clients (or customers or the public, depending on the setting of your internship) will involve one-way communication. The most cordial exchange may not be an exchange at all! Nevertheless, it will be an appropriate client-centered conversation.

The content on this blog is not offered as legal advice or guidance. Consult your college, advisor, or internship supervisor for help with issues surrounding internships. © 2008 Mary Bold, PhD, CFLE. Dr. Bold is a co-author of the book Reflections: Preparing for your Practicum or Internship, geared to college interns in the child, education, and family fields. More about Dr. Bold can be learned at www.marybold.com

Pumpkin Pi(e) & Other Holiday Sweets

Interns are often included in holiday celebrations at their internship sites. Some common features of workplace celebrations: gift exchanges, holiday meals, dessert tables, and office parties. Navigating these events can be worrisome, especially if you are concerned about spending money. Your mentor at the site can help you determine your role.

Often, interns are treated as guests and not expected to contribute. If this is the case, accept the guest role graciously. Do not try to set a new precedent because that will not be a favor for the next intern.

One of the most common (and most economical) means of sharing the holiday is to bring a dessert or other sweet food item to the site. Whether you are the receiver or the giver of holiday sweets, keep these thoughts in mind:

1. It's the thought that counts. So, even if the treat is something you cannot abide, just say "Thank you."
2. If a colleague does not dive into your chocolate mousse, don't take offense. Maybe they have special dietary restrictions...or maybe they just don't like chocolate. Whatever the case may be, you don't need to ask. They probably said "Thank you." (Yep, it's the flip side of item #1.)

The content on this blog is not offered as legal advice or guidance. Consult your college, advisor, or internship supervisor for help with issues surrounding internships. © 2008 Mary Bold, PhD, CFLE. Dr. Bold is a co-author of the book Reflections: Preparing for your Practicum or Internship, geared to college interns in the child, education, and family fields. More about Dr. Bold can be learned at www.marybold.com