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Practicum Self-Reflection
Alexa Krahe
Kent State University
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1. Now that you have nearly completed your summer practicum, what advice would
give to an incoming student about the organization you interned with?

After the completion of my practicum with LifeAct, the number one piece of

advice I would give to a student who planned on completing their practicum with this

company would be to stay organized. Event planning and marketing require a lot of

attention to detail, and there are many little aspects that are essential for making a

whole project become a masterpiece. The best way to manage this is by staying

organized and keeping on top of all the work you are assigned. Keeping detailed

notes and instructions from your mentors and making sure you have an organizational

system in place will make the job go very smoothly.

The second piece of advice I would give would be to never be afraid of asking

questions. The people that work around you are a wealth of valuable knowledge and

they are happy to help you grow and learn. Asking questions is the best way to master

the tasks that you are assigned. Never be ashamed to admit that you need help or that

you have a desire to learn more about the field that you are in. As a professional it is

invaluable to continue improving and growing into the best possible worker you can

be.

2. Explain in detail using examples of how you contributed to your organization.

I feel that I was able to contribute to LifeAct in a variety of ways this summer.

My first major assignment was assisting with the planning and preparation of

LifeActs annual Links for Life Golf Tournament. I was tasked with posting the event

details to a number of online event calendars through LifeActs media contacts list. I
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was also given the task of creating the program for the event. The day of the event I

was there every step of the way helping the staff to put on a fun and successful event.

I was also able to contribute by assisting LifeAct with their social media and

online presence. I reviewed their website and gave feedback regarding improvements

that could be made. I helped to gather content for their Instagram and Facebook posts,

creating a social media archive that they will be able to use for future content. I also

helped research tips and tricks for creating a business Snapchat that LifeAct will be

launching this school year. These are just some of the valuable ways I feel I was able

to contribute during my time with LifeAct.

3. Explain, including examples, how you applied your coursework in communication

to the work you did at your organization.

During my time with LifeAct this summer I stumbled upon multiple occasions

where my knowledge from my coursework in communication were useful. I was able to

use my knowledge from visual design communication to help me in creating an

esthetically pleasing program for the golf outing. My knowledge of organizational

communication helped me to analyze the way that my organization functioned. Various

communication theories that I have learned over my time at Kent were continually

popping up and helping me to better develop my work and have a very in depth

understanding of the projects I was completing for LifeAct. The ability to consider how

people communicate and exactly how impactful words can be helped me with the many

documents I was creating and sending out to co-workers and various donors and

sponsors.
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6. What did you learn about yourself as an intern that you could not learn in the class
room.

There were many experiences that I had while completing my practicum that I

feel I could not have learned in the classroom. I am a very hands-on learner and I know

that I was able to learn a large variety of things by being in the LifeAct office throughout

the summer. I could see firsthand what goes into event planning and marketing and

discover that these are two areas that I am very passionate about. I also learned that while

I enjoy working independently, the knowledge I gained and the work I did in

collaboration with my co-workers was exceptional.

I discovered that my desire to work with non-profit companies in the future is a

goal that I am now even more driven towards. I hope to continue in this field and help as

many others as I can while doing the work that I love. This also showed me that when I

am passionate about a cause I am able to do my best work.

7. How did this practicum prepare you for "the real world?"

I feel that completing this practicum was a great way to help prepare myself for

the rea world. I was able to get a taste of what working in an office is like. I was also able

to see what its like to work with a group of individuals who are very devoted to the work

that they are doing. Being exposed firsthand to a real non-profit work environment

showed me what I can expect for my future place of employment. This practicum with

LifeAct allowed me to reaffirmed the goals that I have for my future career and discover

that I am even more excited them ever before to start my life in the professional world.