Week 3 - Entry 2

 Internship Update

    As I mentioned in a previous post, I am currently a student at NDSU seeking a degree in radiologic sciences. This is my last semester of pre-professional courses, and over the last few months I have been applying to various internships throughout the region in order to fulfill my last credit requirements for my program. 

    The internship will be roughly two years long, and will take place within the radiology department of a regional hospital. I applied to four hospitals. They were Sanford Fargo, Sanford Bismarck, Sanford Sioux Falls, and Avera McKennan Sioux Falls. The application process for all four facilities was almost identical. They required professional references, high school and college transcripts, several essays and interest statements, and eventually an interview with a tour of the facility. 

    I turned in all of my application materials on December 17th, and then anxiously waited for responses. Sanford Fargo only accepts six students each year, and they let me know pretty quickly that I did not make the cut this year. I did receive responses from the other three locations stating that they would like to invite me to interview for the position. I had both of my Sioux Falls interviews on January 7th. Both of the facilities were very impressive to me. Sanford Sioux Falls is the largest hospital in South Dakota, and Avera McKennan is the second largest so I knew that either location would provide a great learning environment were I to get an offer. January 9th I had my last interview in Bismarck for the program at the Sanford hospital there. Before I had completed any of my interviews I had thought that I would prefer Bismarck the most because of how close it is to Fargo. After completing all three interviews my opinions were very different though. I was not impressed by the facility in Bismarck, and the staff and students that I interacted with felt very cold and unwelcoming. On the other hand, the facilities, staff, and students at both locations in Sioux Falls were extremely impressive to me and I originally thought that I would not like the Sioux Falls locations at all. 

    Shortly after my interview in Bismarck, I was told that I did not get accepted into their program. Initially I was disappointed by this news, but I realized that I would not have been happy there in that program. Luckily I have received offers from both locations in Sioux Falls! 

    I have only a couple weeks to make my decision, but I know that I will fit right in at either location. I am very proud that I have been able to achieve this accomplishment, and I am extremely excited to get to work and finish my degree!