Students often ask me, “how can I boost my resume?” or “how can I make my application stand out?”.
These are valid questions. But I think the real questions should be:
How can I keep learning?
How can I continue to grow in my career path while applying for a practicum or internship?
When you reframe these questions, it opens up a whole new opportunity and allows you to view additional experiences as opportunities rather than a resume booster or a box to check.
Consider your coursework, what topics intrigued you the most? What areas of learning excite you the most? When you determine these things, it makes it a lot easier to seek out additional experiences that will enhance your learning and your knowledge of this field.
Here are a few things you could consider looking into:
Additional trainings:
- CPR training ($$): This is typically a requirement for doing an internship or working with children in any capacity so it’s definitely worth it to try and get this done!
- Become a Registered Behavior Technician ($$): In my experience there are places that will pay for you to become an RBT!
- Child Passenger Safety Technician ($$$): This a 4 day course that can be a bit pricey but you will learn more than you ever thought possible about safe car seat installation! Some hospitals have car seat programs or outreach programming and this certification can be very valuable! Check out the website to learn more about becoming a tech
- Certified Infant Massage Instructor ($$$): Also expensive but very useful for working with infants
Free webinars: There are tons of free webinars out there. You can check out these websites to get started:
- Child Life On Call: Some are free and some are paid
- National Child Traumatic Stress Network
- Dandlelion Medical: Free NICU webinars and resources
- Child Life Disaster Relief: Has trainings and two free webinars
Other places to learn:
- Join a regional child life group– many have a variety of resources and programs available!
- Find a virtual or in-person student seminar
- Some I know of:
- Children’s of Alabma
- Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
- SACLP– Southern Association of Child Life Professionals
- Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
- Some I know of:
This list is just the start of what’s available. As I’ve worked with students I’ve learned about countless different organizations and learning opportunities. The amount of trainings and certifications related to working with children, teens, and families is endless. Once you find what interests you, it’s up to you to determine how you want to continue to learn!
