Student Leadership Development Program

The Student Perspective

By: Whitney Bartels 2014-2015 Student Intern

Administered by:

The South Dakota Society of Radiologic Technologists (SDSRT)

&

The American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT)

So what does the student internship include?

• First off, have you already read the handout on the SDSRT’s website that goes into full detail about what the internship is, requirements, and all about the essay? If not, do so. Then come back to this.

Now after reading that you may not be too excited about applying. I will be the first to admit that I was less than enthusiastic about applying. It sounds like a whole lot of work right off the bat.

However, that is why I’m here. I wanted to give students my perspective of the internship and why you should apply.

Your adventure begins here…

The South Dakota State Society of Radiologic Technologists (SDSRT) and the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) give this incredible opportunity to two students from the state of South Dakota.

If you are chosen, your first endeavor is the South Dakota State Radiology Convention. As junior students we attended state with our senior classmates (which come on now, how cool does that make you look). You will attend lectures, watch the senior students present their papers, and attend two SDSRT meetings.

The first meeting can be a little intimidating, but the previously chosen student interns are there to answer any questions.

ASRT’s Student Leadership Development Program

• After state conference is the big trip for the Student Leadership Development Program (SLDP) at the ASRT’s Annual House of Delegates Governance Meeting.

• The location depends on the year. When we were students it was held in Orlando, Florida. Amazing, right? Who wouldn’t want to go there?!

SLDP

• You get paid to learn about your career, to network with professionals in the field of radiology, to meet other students from all over the United States (many of which you will keep in contact with after you all fly home!), to dine in fancy convention rooms and eat delicious food, and many other exciting things. Need I say more?

• This was the view of the pool at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando, FL where everything took place and everyone stayed for the week!

• Me (left) and Kayla (right) taking pictures between events!

• We’re not the only ones that have fun!

• Me (far right) with new friends!

Went out for some Italian food!

• You have time to explore, so we all went downtown for a night out!

• All the students in the Student Leadership Development Program! This picture was featured in

the ASRT’s Scanner Magazine! We’re famous!

• Kayla and I with friends at the House of Delegates Meeting!

• We got to hand out pencils instead of pins at the Pin Exchange! (A fun event you will get to learn all about )

Got all dressed up for the Awards Ceremony!

South Dakota Society of Radiologic Technologists Board Members 2014

SLDP

• Airfare and hotel accommodations are all paid. Plus, if you meet all the requirements (attend all the required events) you will receive a daily stipend. So to put it simply, you get PAID to go on a trip that is ALL PAID FOR!

Student Blog

• We have a student blog about our experience at the SLDP on the SDSRT’s website (sdsrt.org). Do yourself a favor and go check it out!

SDSRT Fall Board Meeting

• After the SLDP, there is a SDSRT Fall Board Meeting. You get to stay one night with the other board members, have dinner and relax, and then wake up the next morning to have the meeting.

• It is a short trip but definitely an eye-opening one, as you now know more about how the meetings flow and get to see all the hard work the board members do to keep the passion alive for the field of radiology. They are absolutely fantastic and as a student I greatly encourage you to take it all in.

SDSRT Winter Board Meeting

• Following the Fall Board Meeting is the Winter Board Meeting. This meeting is usually over the phone via conference calling. Once again take it all in, because you understand even more at this meeting.

SDSRT State Conference

• After the Winter Board Meeting is the SDSRT State Radiology Convention, which you have already attended, so this is a piece of cake! You get the chance to meet the new student interns, attend informative lectures, and help the board members with various tasks.

Why should I apply?

• We cannot stress how incredible this opportunity is. We greatly encourage you to take your time with the application process and do your best. There is no reason to not at least apply!

• I would like to add that I was not required to make this power point – I did it by choice because I wanted potential future student interns to get the previous intern’s point of view on the internship.

So what are some memorable moments?

• “I have two memorable moments, both of which brought me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to become a better version of myself. The first is making friends with students from all over the U.S. I have always been shy, and meeting students with similar interests who are pursuing the same careers was extremely beneficial and I had a lot of fun. The second most memorable moment was seeing how the ASRT Governance Meeting works. It was extremely interesting to see how the governing body works to modify bylaws and discuss other hot topics in the field of Radiology. I was blown away by the feeling of passion for the field that every single member in the room seemed to hold. It also helped connect the dots with a lot of things I was at first confused about. I will be forever thankful for what the SLDP gave me -passion and a sense of purpose.”

Whitney Bartels

So go apply!You’ll never regret it, you have

nothing to lose.