Balancing Education and Work: First PIC Interns at BU Wheelock

The three PIC summer interns at Boston University, Wheelock College of Education & Human Development, have a packed schedule. For two days a week, they work on their capstone project: writing a book to demystify college to middle school students and their parents. Their remaining two days are spent working at different parts of BU Wheelock, the Earl Center for Learning and Innovation and the office of administration and finance.  

The rotational schedule of the interns was devised from a need to balance learning essential skills for office work, like writing and public speaking, with the educational benefits of being on a world-renowned campus. “We’re trying to diversify the experiences that the students have and give them as much exposure to different work environments on campus,” says Cara Mattaliano, Assistant Director of the Office of Strategic Partnerships and Community Engagement at BU Wheelock. This is the first summer that BU Wheelock is hosting summer interns. 

For the capstone book project, the interns have been honing their writing and interviewing skills. They’ve spoken to professors, administrators, and people from all ages and backgrounds to learn about their personal experiences with college education. “It’s been really wonderful seeing the students become passionate about different interview subjects,” says Mattaliano. “Gaining those skills has been one of our top goals for them as well.” 

Their research has led to some unexpected findings, especially regarding the priorities of younger students. “We met with middle schoolers that were visiting the campus, and I think the most surprising thing was how talking about college isn’t all about work and workload,” says Mariaelena Suazo, recent graduate of Charlestown High School. “I remember a kid asked a question about if you could decorate your own dorm, and it kind of was surprising because we didn’t really think about that. But that’s something they’re excited about.”  

With information gained from their interviews, the students have been compiling their insights into book chapters. Cindy Vincent, Communications Manager, edits their writing and provides feedback, offering guidance on tone and style. Following the book’s completion, it will serve as a valuable resource for BU Wheelock to share. 

Outside of the capstone project, the students have been prototyping activities designed for future educational use by high school or adult students at the Earl Center. In one activity, the interns discussed the impact of clothing on self-identity and perception. They were then encouraged to sift through a pile of clothes, and using creativity and playfulness, alter the garment in a way that expresses themselves.  

While their day at the Earl Center is full of creativity, their time at the administration and finance office reflects a more typical internship experience. Under the supervision of Brenda Gutierrez, Operations Administrator, the students help in organizational tasks, such as transferring paper files to digital files and creating instructions for conference room technology. “I hope they have learned office etiquette, including the importance of being on time, working in groups, meeting deadlines, managing time, and holding space for difficult conversations,” says Gutierrez. 

Beyond their work at BU Wheelock, the interns have also been encouraged to take full advantage of the campus by exploring their interests and potential future careers. Suazo, who aims to become a health administrator, particularly enjoyed a visit to the medical campus. “It really helped me get perspective and some insight on what getting a master’s [degree] might look like,” she says. 

Once the summer internship ends in August, Suazo won’t have to wait too long before returning to campus—she starts as an undergraduate student in the spring. When asked about what she’s learned from the internship, she says, “The most impactful is just seeing different people’s career journeys and how they get to their current jobs.” 

 

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