Self Reflective Learning
From my this experience I learned...
There were so many valuable learning experiences I received from working at the AYC. However, ​the biggest takeaway is that I thoroughly enjoy working with youth. For a long time I was unsure about pursuing a career path where I would be working with youth or with adults. I always knew that helping youth with their mental health was very important to me but the reality of what that would look like remained largely a mystery. I am thankful for this experience because it helped me realize how great working with youth can be.
Opportunities I received from this experience...
This experience helped me to learn how to build a fun, trusting, yet professional relationship with youth. My plan for my future career is to become a clinical psychologist and work specifically with youth. Any opportunities to interact and connect with then is extremely valuable for my career goals. I have learned that youth are all very different and some need time and patience in order to open up while others are comfortable with new staff immediately. The ability to read where an individual is at and respect it is a very important skill I will take with me moving forward when building a rapport with youth in a clinical setting.
Differences between this experience and my other course projects...
This practicum has been extremely different from all of the jobs or course projects I have experienced in the past. Previous jobs I have worked have all been customer service based and while I interacted with a lot of people, it was such a fast paced setting it was very difficult to get to know customers or staff while on the job. All of my school projects up to this point have been very research based. I have written a lot of papers on child and youth development, abnormal psychology, effects of abuse, etc. However, my practicum has been my first real opportunity to learn about youth work in a more practical setting. I have had to learn what to do if I believe a youth is in danger for any reason, using drugs, or mentioning suicide. These are all very real aspects of a career in psychology and I am grateful for the hands on experience I have gained from this placement.
What surprised me most...
It shocked me how fun this practicum placement was! While the staff are responsible and in charge of the youth centre, they are also actively involved in all of the activities going on. Aside from when conflict occurs, the AYC is an extremely positive environment for everyone who enters the building. I have has an amazing experience getting to know all of the youth as well as the staff.
My greatest learning came from...
The countless interactions I got to have with both youth and the staff I worked with. I learned how to be more non-judgmental, empathetic and to actively listen even when the youth are talking about something I hardly understand (like Minecraft). Regardless of how different someone is from you it is important to make sure they feel understood and safe to express themselves just as they are. From my co-workers I learned how to work effectively with others in a very different setting that what I am used to from previous jobs, but will be far more similar to the environment I hope to work in as a clinical psychologist.
Skills I will value most post university...
Are the skills developed through my interactions with the youth. I feel that I have become a person who is very easy to open up to. Being friendly to everyone who walks through the door is a very important first step​. Empathy, active listening, and being non-judgmental are all crucial aspects of the job are all very important skills to have but I think the most important thing when interacting with youth is bringing your own personality out during your work and being yourself so that whoever you're talking to feels they can do the same. My experience at the AYC helped me to find a balance by bringing my personality into my work while maintaining a sense of professionalism and authority.
If I did this again...
I would tell myself to loosen up and just try to enjoy my time at the youth centre. When I first started ​I was very nervous to approach the youth because I though they probably didn't want to be bothered by the staff while they were doing their own thing. However, I found that youth love interacting with the staff most of the time. I think I would have gotten comfortable far more quickly if I had been able to start up a card game with a few youth as an ice breaker so I could start to get to know everyone more quickly. Additionally, I would remind myself that while many of the youth involved in this program may be troubled in some way, they likely don't want us to try and solve their problems. Many of the youth come to the centre so they can postpone going home. The AYC acts as a safe haven for many youth and they likely just want to forget about whatever is troubling them while they are with us.
