Hello everyone! I hope that my blog post finds you well. My name is Ashlee Petranovich and I am currently in Murray, Kentucky attending Murray State University. While I am here on my internship I will be collaborating with four different programs that are focused on mental health, school safety, school psychology, and psychological assessments. These programs are indirectly or directly associated with the College of Education and Human Services at Murray state. The work that I will be completing in the next 7 weeks aligns with the following bullet points:
- Grant implementation experience through the MSU/WKEC Mental Health Providers Academy grant
- Counseling and assessment experience shadowing school psychology interns as they complete screening for and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder in youth clients
- Assisting faculty with literature reviews on manuscripts and grants
- Website enhancements for KY School Safety
- Assisting the Center for Student Engagement and Success
- Sharing my perspective and knowledge
This first week was a great, first week. It was honestly a week of orientation as I began to familiarize myself with the town of Murray, meeting key personnel of these programs, and adjust to a new schedule. Below you will find an in-depth look at my days.
SUNDAY, MAY 28th
This day was the day that I flew into Nashville, TN and made my way to Murray, KY with my family. I am fortunate enough to be able to stay with my aunt and uncle here in KY as I complete my internship. This day was spent as a day to settle into my new home for the next 7 weeks. I was pretty tired this day but we made sure to make trips to the pond and go on many walks. Kentucky truly is a beautiful state with green trees, blooming flowers, and gorgeous, pink sunsets.
My newly transformed office! Some members from the College of Education and Human Services pitched in to help design this office for me.
MONDAY, MAY 29TH
Today the university was closed for memorial day. I spent this day trying to calm down my nerves for this upcoming week and being with family. I also took this day as a day to start driving in Kentucky, seeming as it was something that I needed to get adjusted to. The roads in KY are more narrow than I remember, though. Thankfully, we made it through with my driving! We went and got a planner so I could keep track of all of the meetings and events I have going on this week. In addition to this, I spoke with my uncle, who is someone who I will be working closely with, about what I can be doing to feel more prepared during my meetings. Loved my pep-talks with Dave and Peggy!
Settling in on my first day at the college!
TUESDAY, MAY 30TH
Today was officially my first day at the college and I was very excited to start my day and get moving. My agenda for the day was not fairly long but it was busy. When I got to the college I got a very nice tour of Alexander Hall, where I will be working primarily. Within Alexander Hall there was my new office that was packed with everything I would need to be successful here at the college. I felt incredibly supported by my family and the people I was soon to be working with. It is intimidating to step up to a college level and work with new people you have never met before, but the kind gestures made by everyone within the COEHS department reminded me that it was all going to work out. After I got adjusted into my office, I headed toward my meeting that began at 10:00 AM with Dr. Simons, the program director for School Psychology. We met on what it was that I would be doing in the following weeks and how I would best fit into the program. He suggested that I would be able to observe his graduate level interns as they complete diagnostic screenings for children who are possibly on the spectrum. I then got the opportunity to meet his graduate interns and they were incredibly kind and offered to show me the different types of screening tests. We went over the following tests:
- Autism Diagnosis Interview – Revised (ADI-R) A clinical diagnostic instrument for assessing autism in children and adults. …
- Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule – Generic (ADOS-G) …
- Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) …
- Gilliam Autism Rating Scale – Second Edition (GARS-2)
- Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS) (Vineland-3)
(Just to name a few!) I am excited to be working closely with the graduate interns, I feel as though I will be able to learn a lot from them in the upcoming weeks.
This was my final meeting for the day and I was able to go be with my aunt over at her building at the college. After she was done with work, I headed home to go plan out for my day tomorrow. Ended the day with a run to the pond!
Took the day with my family to go explore some fun restaurants and shops around the area.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 31ST
Today was a day where I had no meetings but I was able to call my mentor for another internship that I am doing online. We were able to flesh out some more ideas and get a little bit more direction for the days ahead.
My 85 pound bag!
THURSDAY, JUNE 1ST
This day in particular was a very busy day that involved multiple meetings and helping out the college with their Summer Orientation for the new incoming freshmen for the 2023-2024 year.
My first meeting of the day was with the Kentucky Center for School Safety and I met with Patricia Greer, the director of this program. Ms. Greer and I were able to speak to each other on school safety given by previous held knowledge with Safe2Tell, a program that focuses on ensuring safety. In this meeting we viewed the website for KCSS and went through the core values held by the program, held conversations on the current state of safety in our schools, what issues we are seeing in schools, along with what direction the directors would like me to take. This involves me being able to pursue research for this field. After this meeting, I had a meeting with Ann Samons, the program director of the Partner and Connect Grant– a grant that strives to break down barriers that people are facing when it comes to pursuing school psychology. This conversation provided me direction on what exactly it is that I will be providing for the program. After this meeting, I headed on over to help with Summer Orientation and got to meet some of the Student Affairs staff.
After volunteering at the college on Summer Orientation day, I explored down into the beautiful library at Murray State
FRIDAY, JUNE 2ND
This day was without any meetings and I was able to take the day to get started on the work that I was met with in the previous days.
Highlight of my week was the calm mornings in nature! Humid but worth it.
SATURDAY, JUNE 3RD
This day was a day that was for Summer Orientation and I was able to help out all day for this. I got to see all the new upcoming students and their bright futures. We went out for a couple of drinks at Starbucks and I got to socialize more with the wonderful team over at student affairs. I also placed 98th place on Kahoot for Summer Orientation. Pretty good!
First day of interning!
SUNDAY, JUNE 4TH
This day was a pre-celebration of my birthday!
My birthday is June 5th on a Monday, a day where everyone works for my family and myself. We took this day to celebrate at Patti’s, a 1800’s styled restaurant. This day was a great way to end off the long week I just had and I got to experience it all with my family.
Planning for the upcoming weeks ahead!
Thank you! See you next week!
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