Tak Sasaki

Agency: Tucson Fire Department

Term: Spring - 2001

From my experience at the Tucson Fire Department, I recognized that parents significantly influence children's well-being. One of the parents we interviewed said that she did not want to change the place they stored matches because it was inconvenient, even though she knew that her son lit fires several times by getting matches from the same place. I was very disappointed to face the fact that there are many parents who do not care about their child's life. At the same time, however, I could be reassured that parenting education is my primary career focus. Although specifying career focus is one of the most difficult tasks in college life, direct contacts with children and families have provided me a clear picture of my career interests.

The huge difference between the internship program of the Institute for Children, Youth and Families from others is the biweekly seminar. Guest speakers from faculty and experts in the Tucson area repeatedly told us how we could integrate knowledge gained at school into the real world. Actually, I had never thought about working at a fire station, but what I am doing there is quite relevant to my interests. It was impressive to realize that there are so many opportunities with a Family Studies degree.

As well as precious experience, it is fun to meet many people. Fire fighters always crack me up, my mentor gives me helpful advice, and specialists in parenting education and program development give me great ideas about my project. Without everybody's help, I could not accomplish my goals. I really appreciate their support.

University of Arizona | College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
School of Family and Consumer Sciences | Family Studies and Human Development

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