My role at Catholic Charities is broadly to be part of the Job Development team, and support clients through the job search process. This includes teaching and informing clients about appropriate interview wear and behavior, what their rights as legal workers in the US entail, and how to respond to certain questions asked by potential employers at interviews. We also search out job fairs and apply on behalf of clients to potential positions based on their interests, skills, and English language level. My time at this internship is split 50/50 office and field work, which allows me to gain valuable experience and knowledge for a future career in social services that directly serve clients.

After working for one semester, I developed new learning objectives in order to guide my time in SJI and ensure that I got as much out of the program as possible. These goals helped me keep growing as a student, and develop my skills as a case manager and direct service worker. 

Learning Objectives: 

Develop my understanding of how social justice issues are intertwined, especially that of immigration and labor rights.

Interact more with clients to better develop connections, to better meet their needs as I learn about them, and to become more aware of the challenges they have previously face and continue to face through the process of resettlement.

Gather information and contacts within the network of resettlement agencies as well as within the umbrella of Catholic Charities in order to better understand the system as a whole and to better refer clients based on their needs.