Editor’s note: This story is part of a series profiling internship experiences of undergraduate students participating in Penn State Schuylkill Co-Op. For more stories like Harper's, visit schuylkill.psu.edu/co-op-stories.
SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, Pa. – Alysa Carestia, a second-year psychology major from Pottsville, is making the most of her time at Penn State Schuylkill. In addition to being a member of the Honors Program, Carestia took the opportunity to participate in the campus’ unique Co-Op program, gaining valuable experience in the field of therapy services.
Carestia, who plans to pursue a career as either a pediatric occupational therapist or a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), said her fascination with the brain and mental disorders is what led her to choose psychology as her major.
“I’ve always been interested in how the brain works and why it differs from one person to another,” said Carestia. “I wanted to know why some people develop mental disorders while others don’t, and how genetics play a role."
Carestia first learned about the Co-Op program through her sister, who had completed all three semesters of the program and recommended it. She also received more information about it during new student orientation.
“I decided to join the Co-Op program because I didn’t know much about job skills like building a resume or getting an internship,” she explained. “I thought it was a great opportunity to gain those skills while still at Schuylkill, especially since I plan to finish my degree at University Park.”
Carestia’s Co-Op internship was with Gym-Jam Therapeutics in Pottsville, an organization that provides applied behavior analysis (ABA), speech therapy, and occupational therapy to individuals with special needs, along with support for families.
At Gym-Jam, Carestia’s role involved assisting therapists with daily tasks. “I was an extra set of hands around the clinic,” she said. “I would help therapists by fetching items they needed during sessions, like preparing bottles or setting up lunch trays. I also helped with the summer program, creating visual samples for arts and crafts and finding worksheets for math and handwriting practice.”
The Co-Op experience introduced Carestia to the field of ABA, which was unfamiliar to her before her internship. “I was surprised to learn about ABA and to see how much of a spectrum autism truly is. Each client is different, even though they all share the same diagnosis,” she said.
Throughout the summer, Carestia learned valuable skills related to autism and ABA, knowledge that has already helped her in securing a part-time position as a Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) at Gym-Jam. “My internship gave me the chance to observe therapists and see how client programs are implemented. I can now apply this knowledge in my new role,” she added.
Her experience at Gym-Jam also influenced her career goals. While she initially planned to become a pediatric occupational therapist, her time in the Co-Op program opened new possibilities. “After this internship, I’m also considering becoming a BCBA,” Carestia noted.
The Co-Op classes played a crucial role in helping Carestia succeed. “They taught me how to build a resume and dress for an interview,” she said. “These skills were important when I connected with Gym-Jam at a Co-Op event in the spring. The classes provided guidance every step of the way, from networking with employers to excelling in my internship.”
One of the most memorable aspects of Carestia’s internship was witnessing the progress made by Gym-Jam’s clients in just three months. “It was amazing to see how much they benefited from the services, and I’m excited to watch them continue to grow in the future.”
For students considering the CO-OP program, Carestia has one piece of advice: “Join! Penn State Schuylkill is the only campus with this program, so take advantage of it.”
Q: How has the Co-Op course helped you at Penn State Schuylkill?
Carestia: The Co-Op course helped me become more connected at Penn State Schuylkill. The Co-Op course provides plenty of opportunities to connect with employers in the county as well as faculty on campus. The program makes sure to allow you to get involved in a field that interests you. The program is also run by people who truly care about you and your career experience, which is something that I am grateful for.
Q: Explain the benefits of the Co-Op experience.
Carestia: Because of the Co-Op experience, I was able to obtain an internship after my first year of college while most others wait until their final years. I believe this gave me an advantage because I was able to get on-site experience in a potential career path of mine early on in my college career.
