I have now been at my internship in the Baca County Department of Human Services for about three weeks. I have spent most of my time as a receptionist, which is allowing me to learn a lot about the day-to-day operations of the service. I am the first person clients see as they come through the door, which has really allowed me to grow professionally and encouraged me to ask for help when I do not know the answers to clients’ questions.
I have been able to guide people to correct applications when they need assistance, direct people to the right technician who can assist them, file their paperwork, as well as other tasks. As a receptionist, I often make the initial contact with clients when they walk through the door each day. I try to make sure they are welcomed and treated with respect as they enter the door, so that their appointment can be effective and they get the information they need from the techs or other employees they are meeting with.
I have been learning about some of the requirements that have to be meet to qualify for a program, to stay on one, and other things that need to be reported. I have learned that 30, 60, and 90 days are magical numbers. I have reviewed some of the Colorado Revised Statutes and done some other research. If I tried to list other things I have learned the list would go on for a long time. The most important thing I have learned in the last three weeks is that people in this career have to be understanding and caring, but also, I have learned that I have a lot more to learn over the course of the summer.
