Before beginning my internship at the Arras Foundation, I thought I had a clear picture of the career path I wanted to pursue. As a recent Exercise Science graduate from South Carolina State University, I was drawn to physical therapy and occupational therapy because they combine two things I am passionate about: health and helping people. To me, those careers represented the primary way I could make a positive impact on others’ lives.
However, after only a few days at Arras, I have started to realize there are many different ways to improve people’s health and quality of life.
During my internship, I have been involved in research, community engagement, and learning about the resources and organizations that support people throughout Lancaster County. I have also begun exploring how communities can better connect with and support Gen Z. While this work may look very different from a clinical setting, I have discovered that it shares the same goal: helping people thrive.
Discovering the large-scale impact that community work can make has been eye opening. In physical therapy or occupational therapy, you often work with individuals one-on-one. Through community work, however, there is an opportunity to create programs, partnerships, and resources that can positively affect entire populations. This perspective has opened my eyes to career possibilities I had never seriously considered before.
This internship has also challenged me personally. As someone who tends to be introverted, I am often more comfortable observing than I am speaking up. The staff at Arras, however, have created an environment that encourages curiosity, collaboration, and growth. I have found myself asking more questions, pitching ideas, contributing to conversations, and thinking creatively about ways to engage community members.
Looking back on my first week, I can already see how previous experiences in school, leadership roles, and community involvement have prepared me for this opportunity. They have helped me communicate effectively, stay organized, and approach projects with an open mind. At the same time, this internship is helping me develop new skills and discover new interests.
Although I am only at the beginning of this journey, one thing is already clear: my career path feels more defined now than it did before I started. The Arras Foundation has shown me that improving health and well-being extends far beyond clinical settings.
Sometimes, the greatest impact begins with strengthening communities and creating opportunities for people to succeed.
