University of Minnesota Athletics
Summer Scope: Taylor Wodnick
7/10/2014 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
July 10, 2014
During the academic year, the Gophers are focused on two things: school and their sport. But when classes are not in session, the Gophers are on the go! Catch up with some of the women's soccer team as they spend their summer on adventures far away from home or living their dreams in their own backyard.
Senior Taylor Wodnick is taking steps toward her dream of being a part of the police force by participating in an internship with the New Brighton Police and Fire Departments. Here are a few examples of her eye opening summer and photos highlighting her favorite moments.
This past year I discovered my life long goal and what I want to do with my life. I decided that my dream job and end goal would be to work in the police force. As a junior, changing my major so late in my academic career, it was hard to find an internship for the summer. I was extremely lucky to find an internship with the New Brighton Police Department. This internship is a volunteer position working with the police and fire departments. I started the week after we got done with school on May 19th.
I have split my time pretty evenly between the two departments. For the police department, I have been given the opportunity to do so many different things. My first day working I had looked up all of the police reports for LA Fitness in New Brighton. I compiled a report stating the times and places that cars were getting broken into. Since my reporting, there have been way less calls from the LA Fitness indicating car break ins. I have done a ride along, which consisted of going on call with a police officer to all of their calls and I have taken people to help book them in jail. One of my favorite experiences was taking one of the unmarked cars out to look for cars that were speeding. I have also patrolled the neighborhoods in the unmarked car. One of my first weeks there I was able to go on a neighbor dispute that has since been settled. This experience has really opened my eyes to what I hope to do in the future.
I definitely love the police department and have had an amazing experience working there, but I also have had a blast working with the fire department. When I first started I had not realized that I would be working so closely with the fire department. I have learned so much from working there, but I still have plenty to learn. With the fire department I have gone on fire drills where we take out the fire truck and driving around town helping the firefighters practice and get ready for when they really needed to go on call. While the drills have really helped me see what it is like to work in a fire department, I have also had the opportunity to experience actual calls. Some of the most memorable calls have been burnt popcorn at a catholic school and a fire alarm that was set off at an apartment building. This week I was able to go on a fire drill that was a simulation fire. I got to suit all up in the fire suits and enter into the smoking house with a mask and ventilator.
This internship has been an amazing experience for me and has solidified my decision of becoming a part of the police force.
