We are very fortunate to work with incredible placement students year after year. This year we had an overwhelming request from College and University students that we could not take them all.  Corinne Miller is a 3rd year student in the Social Work program at Carleton University. Read on as she describes her experience.

"As a placement student at Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa (BBBSO) I have had the opportunity to work and learn in a great atmosphere. The staff here has been wonderful and they are an incredibly welcoming and friendly group of people. From my very first day I have felt like a part of the team.  

I began working with enrollment but in November transferred to working with the Go Girls program. The transition has been fantastic. It is a fast paced program during the school year and I quickly found that I had to balance both school and my placement. With a little organization I have learned to do this quite well.

Working in Go Girls I am still involved in the enrollment process as I help recruit and interview young women who are interested in being a mentor for the program. At first I was worried about the interviews. I thought volunteers may not feel comfortable talking to me. Watching other staff members during interviews helped me get an idea of how to go about them. My communication skills continue to improve on an ongoing basis. Now I can talk to volunteers with ease and confidence. I like to think this in turn makes the interview more comfortable for the volunteers.

One of my favourite things about working at BBBSO is that I have been able to experience what it's like to work here as well as what it's like to volunteer here. Aside from the work I do at the office I am also a mentor in the Go Girls program. As a Go Girls mentor I get to leave the office once a week to hang out with a group of girls in order to play fun games and talk. I thoroughly enjoy this aspect of my placement and I look forward to it each week.

As the new semester has started I am excited to take on new challenges here. I will have my own small caseload for the Go Girls program and my goal is that the sessions I am responsible for go smoothly and that both mentors and participants enjoy it. I am also eager to begin a whole new session myself as a mentor and meet 8 new girls. For my own program I hope each participant leaves the program feeling more confident and better about themselves.

Placements can be intimidating when you have little experience in the field but BBBSO is a pleasant and upbeat environment to learn in. There are many different programs and activities to get involved with which provides a variety of learning experiences. I will finish my placement here having gained some valuable new skills that will no doubt help me in my future career. I look forward to my second semester here."

If you are interested in a placement with BBBSO, please contact me for details and availability.