EXPLO

Instructor/RA

June - August 2017 • Wellesley, MA

What I liked

What I wish was different

Timing and scheduling as you worked 10-13 hours a day (including weekends).

Advice

Make sure you like being busy every second from 7am to 11pm as breaks are very limited (almost none) and every part of the day is sectioned with consecutive duties that you must be at.

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Camp Instructor

June - August 2019 • Boston, MA

What I liked

I got to teach younger students about the medical field and introduce them to a career that is extremely rewarding by sharing my knowledge of biology, anatomy, and medical terminology as well as parts of the nursing process.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Instructor

June - August 2019 • Wellesley, MA

What I liked

I loved the environment- it's very communal and everything is a team effort. I always felt like the work I was doing mattered and you got to see the direct result of your hard work. You work very hard and long hours but for me I felt like I thrived in that busy environment.

What I wish was different

Advice

This is a place for people who like a fast pace. I was always really happy because you're always going nonstop. Sometimes it feels like you're the one at camp, since you get to do so many things alongside the kids, but sometimes it really does feel like a grind. The pay here is very competitive- higher than any other summer program I've found, so I feel like you're compensated for the work you do. What's also unique is that you are serving in multiple roles, such as an instructor as well as an RA, so you get to work with the kids non stop in many capacities. `

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Instructor/RA

June - August 2019 • New Haven, CT

What I liked

What I wish was different

Advice

Find a way to manage stress effectively or you will burn out quickly!

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Focus Coordinator

June - August 2019 • Wellesley, MA

What I liked

I gained managerial experience at this position and was working in a community that promotes education and love of learning.

What I wish was different

I wish that I could have worked in this environment for longer than just the summer.

Advice

I think it's a great job for anyone looking for a summer position who does not want to live at home. It's especially helpful for those interested in going into the education field.

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Instructor/RA

June - August 2019 • New Haven, CT

What I liked

Ability to work directly with kids and teach criminal justice.

What I wish was different

I wish we had had slightly shorter hours or more time off.

Advice

It's intense! Be ready to be tired.

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Registrar

June - August 2019 • New Haven, CT

What I liked

I loved all of the work I got to do and the communication skills I gained. EXPLO is all about professional development and challenging you in every way. So while I was working 12+ hours a day I learned how to hone my skills in communication, administration, and teaching. I worked with some amazing people and met great high school students.

What I wish was different

Not much really! This was my second year at EXPLO and I loved that they hired me for another summer in a more leadership heavy role.

Advice

Go into the position with an open and flexible mind. Get ready to work a lot and learn a lot and come out of the experience as a better, more confident person.

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Elementary School Teacher

June - August 2019 • Norwood, MA

What I liked

The people I worked with were awesome for the most part.

What I wish was different

I wish there could have been public transportation more easily accessible to us

Advice

Be ready to work! It is a very busy occupation but very worthwhile

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Magic Assistant/AV Coordinator

June - August 2019 • Norton, MA

What I liked

The environment of Explo and the community at Explo we’re some of the best parts about my job. Everyone was friendly and helpful in answering questions and there was a lot of fun experiences. It was also on the Wheaton College (MA) campus.

What I wish was different

I think the hours could have been a little shorter, but it wasn’t too bad once I had adjusted.

Advice

Stay on top of things and make the most of the day. Don’t be afraid to interact with your superiors or the students.

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Trips Coordinator at EXPLO at Wellesley

June - August 2018 • Wellesley, MA

What I liked

I loved the atmosphere, the people, and the structure of this program. The people and the whole concept of EXPLO is what I would love to be apart of for the rest of my life.

What I wish was different

I wish that there was more time in between sessions for the students and staff.

Advice

Take in every moment at EXPLO. You meet some of the most influential people in the field of teaching and you are being given such an opportunity to grow from others around you. I loved working with people who were honest, and worked hard, who loved their job and would do anything for the kids they are teaching. Write everything down and accept all advice. The people are wise and wonderful. The job is hard but more than worth it.

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Instructor

December 2017 - August 2018 • Wellesley, MA

What I liked

Besides gaining valuable classroom teaching experience as the primary instructor, I was also able to develop my own lesson plans for my classes and my workshop while also getting to know the students on a deeper level by serving as a residential adviser. My co-workers were also amazing, coming from academically rigorous schools and eager to teach. The program is very well-run and organized by the administrators as well.

What I wish was different

I wish I could have taught a course that is more aligned to what I would like to teach post-graduation, but teaching a more unconventional class helped me step outside my comfort zone and learn on my feet.

Advice

EXPLO is exhausting and requires your total dedication, but at the same time it was exactly what I was looking for as a hybrid between a summer camp and a summer school.

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Instructor

June - August 2018 • Boston, MA

What I liked

I loved working with the kids, and I was also able to develop personally through various constructive feedback sessions.

What I wish was different

Advice

It is a job opportunity that requires active participation, so bring your best energy to the table!

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A/V Coordinator

June - August 2018 • Wellesley, MA

What I liked

I enjoyed the fast-paced work environment, and the incredibly supportive and inclusive community. I felt that I was contributing something truly meaningful to the organization.

What I wish was different

Nothing.

Advice

Be adaptable and willing to dive into projects that don't necessarily apply to your specific role. You never know what you'll learn.

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Web Journalist

June - August 2018 • Wellesley, MA

What I liked

Was given room, board, and a professional camera for the summer. The support from upper staff was continuous and helpful. Pay was excellent by comparison to other summer programs.

What I wish was different

Days were long with little time off; often spent time off working.

Advice

It's a hard job, but completely worth it. It was an incredibly rewarding experience.

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EXPLO Wheaton Instructor; EXPLO Bioengineering for Girls at Wheaton Residential Advisor

June - August 2018 • Norton, MA

What I liked

It was great to connect with students and teach them about STEM from a different perspective, i.e. teaching about chemistry in a spa product making class.

What I wish was different

I really wish we had been better staffed. Most instructors and advisors were stretched very thin and it affected a lot of work that we did. Our students picked up on it.

Advice

If you are not planning on having a career in teaching, this experience may not be what you're looking for. I would not suggest this job to anyone who was looking to try out teaching or if you do not love interacting with children.

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Resident advisor and instructors

June - August 2017 • Norton, MA

What I liked

GOOD to teach and a great work environments

What I wish was different

N/a

Advice

Make sure you know the bag age group of students you want to work with

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Psychopathology Instructor and Residential Advisor

June - August 2017 • New Haven, CT

What I liked

Amazing experience for students pursuing teaching! You get first hand experience teaching your own class of high school students and even writing your own curriculum. You also get advisors to help with your class and curriculum who are incredible. The staff and support system is unparalleled.

What I wish was different

It is a 24 hour job because instructors teach during the day, but also live on campus doing other jobs for students. So now that I understand how long the hours were, I wish I budgeted more time to sleep!

Advice

Just keep in mind that it is a 24 hour job, but if you like a fast paced and jam packed schedule full of fun things to do, this is the job for you! Incredible teaching experience at a prestigious University.

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Teacher

June - August 2018 • Norton, MA

What I liked

It was a truly fantastic and revelatory experience that exposed the inner workings of education to me. The tremendous work that accompanies any role at this school is surpassed only by the inimitable quality of the staff who strive daily to enrich the lives of the children.

What I wish was different

Advice

Be prepared to work. This job will require all of your earnest effort!

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Web Journalist

June - August 2018 • New Haven, CT

What I liked

I liked how the job gave me an oppotunity to constantly produce creative content and gain practice from it. I liked how it had me think about what journalism really is. It also had me reflect on my ways of talking to people.

What I wish was different

I wish the communication on the job location could have been better and employees had been treated with a respective manner.

Advice

It's a lot of work and requires a lot of mental energy. Be prepared.

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Program Assistant

June - August 2018 • New Haven, CT

What I liked

I loved the other staff that I worked with, as well as the students at the program. They were from all over the world, and it was great to be working with all different individuals towards a common goal.

What I wish was different

I wish I could have been an RA and instructor. In order to have these roles, you must have finished at least two years of college. I did, however, get the opportunity to teach soccer, which was a great experience.

Advice

I would recommend keeping an open mind and staying patient. Not everything goes the way we plan, so you have to be ready to adapt to new situations, while remaining enthusiastic in front of the students.

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