As the deadline to submit the application during fall quarter of 2017 approached, I still wasn’t sure if applying for the UC Center Sacramento Program for spring of 2018 was a good idea. I attended one of the informational sessions and had heard great things from past students and faculty who were familiar with the program, but I still wasn’t sure. Was this something worthwhile? Would I gain valuable experience at my internship and take interesting classes? Ultimately, I decided to just submit my application and see if I could even get into the program.
When I got the email that I had been accepted into the program, I was both relieved and excited. I took it as a sign that I should get out of my comfort zone and try something new. Now, it’s the middle of week ten and I can honestly say that joining this program was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Here are just a few reasons why:
Image source: Andrew Neel, Unsplash
1. The staff are kind, knowledgeable, and there to help you be the best person you can be.
We’ve all had those classes where it seems like the professor or TA could care less. Luckily, the staff at the UC Center are invested in their students and go out of their way to be kind and helpful and genuinely want you to succeed.
2. I learned valuable professional skills.
Not only do you take classes, but the staff has speakers who will teach you how to build your professional portfolio. You’ll learn valuable skills like editing your resume, practicing for an interview, and how to use LinkedIn and build your network.
3. My internship changed my life.
On the application, you mark three areas of interest in fields where you would like to work during your time as a student. I had no clue where I wanted to go. But, after talking to the Associate Director, she ended up placing me at an office where I genuinely enjoy going to work every single day. Not only do I love the field where I work, but the staff are the kindest, most intelligent, hardworking, driven people I have ever come across in my life and they go out of their way to teach me new things and tell me about their own experiences.
4. The hard work is worth it.
I considered taking an easy last quarter at Davis and doing part-time so I could spend time with friends and relax, but I can genuinely say that I look forward to waking up at 6 a.m. each morning and getting ready to go into the office. I’ve spent many nights coming home from my internship late and staying up to do homework, but I’ve never regretted showing up and putting in the work.
As I look back on my four years at Davis, I can honestly say that making the decision to apply to this program was one of the best decisions I ever made during my time in college. I made a wonderful group of friends and ended up working in an office that I genuinely loved – I would say that that’s a pretty great way to end my last quarter as a student at UC Davis.