Reflecting on the Experience

I have learned much from this internship here at MAG. I have been given a great amount of responsibility, and the opportunity to hold my own and be a vital part of the team. I have enjoyed working on a study that will hopefully seek to improve civil legal assistance access, information, and the process for both victims and legal professionals. It has also been the first real study I have been able to conduct, other than those simulated studies in undergrad.

The experience of understanding social issues within the region affecting those senstitive populations has had a huge impact on me. I believe I have gained more empathy and understanding of these difficult situations that anyone can find themselves in. Moreover, representing MAG at various events, being a presentable figure, and having the ability to be vocal and improve public speaking at meetings has been extremely valuable to me.

Also, I have enjoyed working with each of those within the Human Services Department. I feel as if I bonded with each person here in the department and really got to understand the person behind the professional. I think this is something that we in the professional world overlook in our workplace. The friendships I have gained, as well as contacts within the organization have been irreplaceable, and cherished by me throughout my career within the public sector. I have learned at least one or two unique things from each of the staff here, and that is something which has no price tag on it. Along with that those I worked with maintained where professionalism, yet were able to have cubicle comedy from time to time sharing laughter.

There are also little things that I will miss at MAG. For starters the parking garage, especially with every crevice within five miles of downtown being metered from 8am-8pm. Also, those lunchtime conversations, the dynamics of the office, the collaboration on projects, and yes, those full staff meetings at the end of the month. I really like the direction and the way the organization is moving, as well as its style of how it is managed. It has truly been a great experience for me and I thank MAG for giving me the opportunity to intern for them.

Sleep vs. Work

Earlier, I spoke about weather being a factor towards work productivity, but another key aspect of a healthy life and work life is sleep. Yes, I do this while it is 1 am, but I am sort of a night owl. I always here figures about sleep and its affect on our bodies. I believe the recommended amount of sleep is somewhere around 8 hours. In my opinion 8 seems somewhat unrealistic in our world.

With the fast-paced nature of the American culture, coupled with Western values and economic productivity, sleep gets compromised all too often. I personally only receive about six good hours of sleep, seven if get a hard work out in. I find it difficult and somewhat like I am squandering time in the place of sleep at times. While the world sleeps, you get ahead; at least that seems the mentality of at least half of those in Western nations.

However, that being said, I understand the health related issues of not getting enough sleep. Potentially, it could affect your work productivity, but you could always insert coffee or caffeine to fix that dilemma. Also, you can be at more risk to have a heart attack later in life, which reflects from your body not being able to repair itself while you sleep.

I am also curious to find out how sleep affects those who work within hospitals and settings similar, having doctors on call for 36-48 hours at a time. How much of a toll do jobs like that take on your health. In some ways I see a little bit of irony behind that comparison. If everyone were mandated in some unrealistic dream, how would productivity be affected in both the public and private sectors?