Mackenzie Roberts

What organization did you work with?

Center for Social Dynamics in Portland Oregon, USA

What did you do at your internship?

I worked with children who have autism and my role was to help them learn daily activities and life skills. I also observed their behaviors and implemented programs outlined to me by my supervisors and ABA therapists to be able to reduce/ increase certain behaviors.

How did Lewis & Clark’s Career Center support you in finding, securing, and/or funding your internship?

The Career Center helped me create goals that I can implement in my internship that will push me closer to my career.

What is your biggest takeaway from your internship?

My biggest takeaway was it is okay to make mistakes as long as you are willing to learn from them. My internship relied heavily on making sure that you are always willing to learn and understand that you can always improve your skills. I want to take this skill into my future career and always be willing to learn more.

How is this internship connected to your career goals and/or future aspirations?

My career goal is to be a psychologist or clinical therapist and while working at the Center for Social Dynamics I have been able to learn many therapeutic techniques and have gained good expertise while working with clients hands-on.

Last thoughts:

During my internship, I was able to look at a potential career, and being in CDEV-145 helped me analyze how I can use the skills learned at my internship to apply to a future career.