diana

 


Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, The University of Maryland English Department

Major: CCJS

Class Year: 2021

 

 

 

 

What was a typical week like in your internship position?

A typical week involves grading student work, planning optional Zoom sessions, and planning pre recorded lectures and instructional videos. I have also been holding one on one phone conferences with students to guide them on their semester long projects.

 

 

What do you enjoy most about your current position?

I really enjoy being able to interact with other students. The professor that I am a TA for also gives me a lot of room to lead sessions and takes into account my feedback when deciding how best to operate the course. Everyday I learn more from students and gain experience leading.

 

 

How did your coursework help you in your internship?

Writing papers for my CCJS classes has definitely helped me become a better writer. This proved very beneficial in this advanced composition course as I was able to really excel in it. As a TA, I use my own writing experiences and student led learning to help students improve their composition.

 

 

How did you locate your internship position?

My professor reached out to me. However, I located my previous internship from the CCJS blogspot!

 

 

Advice for students:

I interned previously with the Fairfax County Office of the Public Defender. I did not think I would get the internship initially because I did not have prior internship experience. My advice is: don’t be afraid to try! I also recommend asking for periodic performance feedback, as it is always helpful to be aware of areas in which you can improve.

 

 

I have always been interested in the intersection of the criminal justice system and education. Although I am not an English major, I am able to intern as a TA for the English Department. Internships are great ways to figure out what you really want to do, and although you may not have the most experience in one field, use internships to explore all your interests.