Sara was a Supervisor for The Family Academy Provo during Summer 2025.
Briefly explain what you did and the result of your internship.
At my internship I was able to watch family dynamics grow and evolve. I was able to be an observer and facilitator of family visits. This allowed families who otherwise would not be able to see their children, for legal reasons, to create and form relationships with their loved ones. I was able to do this both for english speakers and spanish speakers. In fact, we are one of the only facilities who provides this service in Spanish in the entire state of Utah (or so I was told :)).
What did you learn on your internship that you were not expecting to learn?
I learned to have compassion for people. During this internship I was able to see people who were flawed and human. But I was able to see them grow and become more confident in their roles as parents. I learned to see their mistakes with compassion and see them how Christ sees them. It was an experience I hadn't expected and it really helped me grow closer to those individuals and my Savior.
How have your future plans changed because of what you learned from your internship experience?
Yes, I realized that my career path was slightly off. I realized that while I love helping families, there is a dire need for help in court. These children and parents need advocates, especially those who speak Spanish, who will communicate their needs and familial desires to the court. I want to help by letting their voices be heard and understood.
Please share how your experience led to personal inspiration or insightful revelation.
This experience helped me see two things. One, that families really are eternal. Two, that everyone can use the Savior's atonement. These families, often destroyed by bad choices, were able to spend time together and develop their eternal relationships. They were able to overcome past tragedy and sin by coming closer as a family unit and closer to their Savior. I was able to see how families can be together and how the Savior is a facilitator of that amazing gift.
Would you recommend this internship to other students?
I would. It was an amazing experience that gave me practical job experience in a way that stretched me to grow. It also allowed me to help families become the best version of themselves. It taught me to be better, kinder, more independent, and have more confidence in my skills.
