that point in class when everyone's face read "what the hell is happening?"

Yeah, that happened yesterday in my class for Internship. 

First of all, the schedule said it started at 6, so I showed up at school about 10 minutes early. When I got to class, it was already pretty full and the teacher was already talking and had a powerpoint slide going and I said, "Oh, am I late?" She quickly said, "No, we haven't really started yet." But she had, because she had already mentioned about community service and points during the quarter to report to class and I'm just like, "Huh? what I miss?" I sat next to my friend Nick and then several other people showed up after me. At 6 o'clock, she starts talking again, and, man, I gotta say, this lady is like a drill sergeant. "Quickly people, move it, settle in, we've got a fast two hours"
I admit, I really didn't know what to expect, but at least my advisor had the sense enough to tell me that I needed to have procured an internship by the time I entered the classroom, and I'm glad that I had done at least that much because when the teacher started talking about turning in hours and a 10 page proposal packet by Monday at 8 AM (this Monday at 8AM - just 4 days from time in class!), the looks on some students faces was utter shock and horror, like on those old scary movie posters.
      *It came from nowhere…madness, astounding shock!!*

In my portfolio class, they send out a packet and it tells you what to bring to class the very first day and what projects will be expected each week. This is so you can be prepared….I like this idea. I would really have liked the internship class to have done something like this because when she said, "Oh and you need to have completed at least 3 hours of community service by next Wednesday", another round of sharp gasps filled the room. 

I'm like, "wait, what?" 

First of all, I get why they want us to do community service, because some people have never worked before and don't know the value - okay. But I have, plus I was in the military! I should just get credit for that. Second, could ya give us a little more time? I mean, I work and have hours where I work free doing internship, plus 4 other classes so the only time I have is this very Saturday and or Sunday. Most places want you to apply or do a background check on you before you can volunteer. Some places have orientation. On top of that, what if I hadn't already found an internship? I'd be looking for that, too --- all by Monday morning at god damn 8AM! Who the hell finds a job, let alone two in four days? It's an impossibility. Half the class is set to fail just out of the gate. What the holy living fuck? Oh, and on top of all this, we have discussion groups online. Normally questions like this are solo and pretty simple, like explain the difference between A and B and give an example. But not our questions, these questions are plentiful and in several parts. Our first week discussion is a set of 5 questions about critical listening, our internship, work ethics and then they are all in 5 parts, so that's like 25 questions. We answer them in paragraph form and then we have to respond to at least 2-3 of our classmates. In all honesty, there are probably only going to end up being about 10 people left in the class out of the 48 that started yesterday. One girl left within the first hour. I don't know what she was mumbling as she left, but I'm sure it contained a lot of "fuck this shit".

Before I left my internship job Tuesday afternoon, I asked my boss if she needed anyone else, and before I could even finish my sentence she was nodding her head yes. So, I asked my classmate Alyssa if she had found one, and she said yes, but my classmate Wendy had not, so I gave her the info and she was so elated she was dancing around as she hugged me. "Thank you so much! you really saved me!" No problem, I like paying it forward. 

Okay, so to recap for those of you who fell asleep during my rant, this is what's due by Monday at 8AM  - just for this class:

- answer  the 25 part online discussion questions and respond to your classmates

- write and turn in a 10 page internship job proposal (this includes retrieving a copy of your unofficial transcript, your resume, a questionnaire and having your internship boss sign a page)

- find an internship

- find and complete 3 hours community service

- answer the community service discussion board questions (only 4 questions!)

After this week though, it's all downhill,  we just have to each week answer the 25 part discussion questions and respond to our classmates and also turn in our time sheets. On week 6 and 10 we have to have our internship boss send in a report on us.

 

I've already made it through this week and it's not even Monday, so I'm relieved. I wrote my proposal, got all the stuff for it and turned that in online today. Last night, I wrote out my paragraphs for the discussion questions and today I found a place to do some community service. I let my teacher know all this and she's very happy with me. I'm pretty sure I'm the only student to have all this done in one day. Maybe I've set a record? I should get a prize for this!