I enjoyed getting experience in the psychology field. I also enjoyed meeting new people and being able to provide others with care and support.
What I wish was different
I would not change anything.
Advice
It is helpful to keep an open mind when visiting new locations for clients, as some hospital locations may be further than others. Overall, each hospital provides you with a different experience and a deeper insight into how everything works. This experience is great for anyone who is looking to give back to the community, interested in mental health, or a related field.
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Guardian advocate
June 2019 • Orlando, FL
What I liked
I enjoyed the experience helping others who really needed the help and learning hands on what the mental health field is like.
What I wish was different
I wish it was closer to my home I had to drive an hour each way.
Advice
Don’t go into expecting to change these individuals lives, they will change yours more than you will ever be bake to help them.
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Guardian Advocate
May 2019 • Orlando, FL
What I liked
Getting experience in my field and being able to help patients receive the best possible care.
What I wish was different
Nothing.
Advice
Be sure to pack patience. It can take a bit for the patient to warm up and talk to you but once they do it’s incredible what you can learn from them and what you can help them with.
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guardian advocate
June 2018 • Orlando, FL
What I liked
It gave me a perspective on the type of patients I will be dealing with throughout the course of my career, it helped give me experience dealing with at risk patients, gave me overall knowledge about the baker act and what that entails for the patient, and helped me see how the hospital process is done.
What I wish was different
The hospitals are a little far from UCF, about a 30-40 min drive. We're required to see our clients 3 times a week, since volunteer work is unpaid the drives to the hospital can become a bit costly. I know as a full time student who doesn't have a job how this gap in your miles can really affect everything. Most of the time I had to save my gas to be able to go to the hospital and had to restrict how much I used my car throughout the week.
Advice
I've had the best experience while volunteering for the mental health association, everyone is very nice and accommodating. What I love about this volunteer opportunity is that I can pick up patients whenever I can without it affecting my school schedule, and also go visit my patients whenever I'm able to. I would advice students to try to find work/internship opportunities in companies that do pay them just because it can become really costly to work or volunteer without pay. I think working as a guardian advocate is a bit different in the sense that you make your own hours/ time to see clients. This is a volunteer opportunity that I would recommend to everyone, it is extremely rewarding and the experience is hands on.
