Internship report

Internship and Academic Learning : Applying Theory into Practice

In the desire to make my academic learning on Ethnic Studies Course more productive and worthwhile , I decided to pursue my internship program in the Commission on Hispanic Affairs or CHA of the Washington State during Summer of 2007 . The office which is based in Olympia Washington has described its mission as follows

The mission of the Commission on Hispanic Affairs is to work toward economic , social , political and legal equality for the Hispanic population . The commission serves as advocates for Latino youth

children and adults in for them to have the same opportunities to succeed in school , receive equal health and social services and for the Hispanic population to be treated equally through the judicial system ( HYPERLINK "http /www .cha .wa .gov " www .cha .wa .gov

From the mission cited above , one can deduce that the nature of the work in CHA is service for the Hispanic community . It must be noted that states in the United States is not culturally homogenous . The continuous migration of racial groups and people to its territories is inevitable especially as globalization have set forth the ease in communication and transportation . The formation of Hispanic community in Washington is only one example of the heterogeneity . Yet , the blending of racial communities is not devoid of issues and problems . The government usually is tasked to ensure equality is maintained among different groups and that the mainstream community does not harm politically , socially and economically , the vulnerable sectors . This is the reason why the Commission on Hispanic Affairs has been created . In particular , the Hispanic youth , women and elderly are the most susceptible kinds of people in relation to the majority . Hence , the CHA being a government institution has developed programs and actions for the maintenance of the well-being of the above-mentioned community

What exactly does the Commission on Hispanic Affairs undertake ? From my analyses , the CHA 's activities consist of three categories (1 ) research and proposal (2 ) program implementation and monitoring (3 representation and legislation . In fact , the work of CHA 's officers and employees include staff , field and research works and project liberation . In all three categories , the following aspects are considered : education , business , health , justice , participation and delivery of government services for the Hispanic community . In the first category , the Commission on Hispanic Affairs with its staff and researchers conduct research studies , surveys and analysis of the various concerns of the Hispanic community . The result of their research is then translated to meaningful program proposals , which when viable and worthy of action is given resources for implementation . It also determines the gaps that exist in the services and programs delivered to them . The second category is equally important . The programs which are made possible have to be realized properly with proper monitoring of success indicators and outcomes . In addition , they refer customers to professional services and organizations most capable of serving the customers ' needs . They also monitor existing programs that affect Latino community...