Intern of the Week: Ashley Batista for Biology!

Fri, 24 Aug 2018 15:39:58 -0400

Name: Ashley Batista

Internship, Co-op or Research Site: University Health Services/Office of Health Promotion

Position Title: Peer Health Educator

Major(s)/Minor(s):Biology/Africana Studies

Work Term: Fall 2017

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities.

As a peer, I work to reach out to the UMBC community through events, programs, and workshops to educate students regarding a variety of health issues. We work to provide students with information about sleep deprivation, alcohol and other drugs, sexual health and birth control, just to name a few topics. We teach common strategies to make better healthy decisions as well as bring awareness to the resources provided to them on and off campus.

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?

I heard about this position through an email sent by the Internships & Employment Team in the Career Center stating that Peer Health Educators were wanted and that applications were being taken. I filled out the application and sent it in to my now supervisor by April 28th. One or two weeks later I was contacted in regards to making an interview appointment. I went to the interview and a couple weeks later, I received the "congratulations" email confirming my position for the upcoming year.

What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization?

I've enjoyed being able to educate students on critical health issues that are prevalent among college students and show them ways to better themselves and the UMBC community in the hopes of influencing lifelong healthy choices beyond their college years. I also enjoy being able to work with a supportive group of people who also believe in providing guidance within health.

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?

I believe that I've been able to give students more of a choice when it comes to their autonomy over their health. We're so stuck in the everyday routine of school, work, internship, study, volunteer, etc. that we forget we have the choice to do something different and make healthy decisions for ourselves. We can make choices for the benefit of ourselves and for others.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?

I would advise them to be diligent and persistent if they want to see results. I would also advise them to keep an open mind because these experiences may help shape whether or not this is a career area they want to be in.

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[Interview originally posted on the Career Center's myUMBC Group.]