Interviewees

Last week both Steph and Pete had their first experience being interviewed, and both did great!

Pete was applying to the Counselor-in-Training program at the summer camp where he has gone since he was 4. The 13- to 15-year-olds can participate in the CIT program, which is not a real job but more of a transition from camper to counselor. (To wit: Not only does Pete not get paid, but we pay for him to go!) Anyhow, the CITs always seem to be having a blast—they spend most of their time with the younger kids, developing their leadership skills, but they also have some fun CIT-only day trips and overnights. 

Pete had to fill out a pretty challenging application form, complete with essay questions about "significant life experiences" and such, and get two non-family personal references. He worked really hard on the application and I was very proud of him. 

After the application process came the personal interview, which must have gone well because he was told that he was "in" as soon as it was over! (In truth, when I scheduled the interview, the person I spoke to on the phone said that based on his application and the fact that they've known him for nearly 10 years, short of his announcing "I secretly hate kids" during the interview, he was a shoo-in.) 

As for Steph, one good thing that has come out of her hospitalizations is that she discovered the Child Life Specialist position and thinks that might be something she'd like to do when she grows up. She mentioned it to her guidance counselor, who suggested she look into volunteer opportunities at the hospital so she can get a feel for what it's like to work there—and get some relevant experience. What a great idea! 

Steph also had to provide references and fill out an application, although hers didn't have any tricky essay questions. Like Pete, she was told she got in right on the spot after her interview! She knew she would be unable to work on the pediatric ward because you have to be 16 years old, so she will be working once a week on a regular ward and once a week in the gift ship. That cracked me up, because I should've known I could count on Steph to find a way to volunteer at a hospital and end up getting to arrange jewelry and balloons and flowers and stuffed animals! She has her orientation and training this week, so we don't know exactly what her responsibilities will be on the ward, but I think it will be things like helping patients order their meals, getting them pillows or magazines, telling the nurse if they have a problem, and so on. 

When Pete had his interview, I told him he couldn't just wear any old Nike T-shirt, but the only other kind of shirt he has is a button-down oxford, and it was about 70° that day. So we borrowed a polo shirt from a friend, and Steph laughed because she knows he doesn't like polos. Well ... come to find out that her uniform for the hospital is tan pants and a black polo! So off we went to L.L. Bean yesterday to buy the least fashionable items in her wardrobe. Pete got the last laugh there, I think.

I am really proud of my kids and eager to see how they do in their new endeavors.

Comments

[Stephanie]

Awesome! I volunteered at Salem Hospital starting at age 14 through 18. I worked in many areas (maternity, library, flower cart) and found things I liked and didn't like. It was a wonderful experience.

[Elena]

Congrats! How exciting. They're really growing up. What great experiences they will have! I first ran into Child Life Specialists several years ago when I volunteered at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Sounds like a wonderful career path.

[Rachel]

Welcome to NWH Steph!

[Steve]

What great experiences these will be for both kids.