AHRM 4964

FIELD STUDY – STUDENT EVALUATION FORM

(To be completed by student)

Student Name: Jonathan Gill Dates worked: 6/8/2009 to 8/21/2009

Number of weeks worked: about 10 wks.

Average number of hours per week: about 18 hours

Name of Firm: Middlesex County Consumer Affairs

Telephone Number: (732) 745-3856

Type of work in which firm/agency is primarily engaged: Investigation of Consumer

Fraud.

Approximate size of firm (number of employees): About 8 employees.

1. Describe the type of tasks which were your responsibilities.

My primary role was a consumer fraud investigator, which consists of a wide variety
of different tasks. I also typed letters for my supervisor, transferred cases to and from
other organizations, opened new cases, and occasionally assisted attorneys with
random tasks.

2. Describe what you consider to be the least valuable aspects of your field
study.

The least valuable aspects of my field study would probably be the tasks delegated to
me by the office lawyers. It was pretty mindless and repetitive. For example, one
task delegated to me was to go through a lengthy list of names and pick out anyone
who was employed by Middlesex County. This type of work took up a small
minority of my time at Consumer Affairs.

3. Describe what you consider to be the most valuable aspects of your field
study.

The most valuable aspect of my field study was the fraud investigation what I did.
Each case was unique and required a different approach. While investigating, I
coordinated with other organizations, spoke frequently with consumers and business
owners, and mediated disagreements between consumers and businesses.

4. What did you like most and least about the field study experience?
I liked the fact that I was given the freedom to act autonomously while investigating
consumer fraud. I did not really enjoy some of the remedial and repetitive work I was
occasionally given. Also I did not enjoy the fact that it was an unpaid internship.

5. Would you recommend this firm for other field study students’ assignments
in the future? Please explain why or why not.

I do recommend this firm for other field study students in the future. While it is a
good distance away form Virginia Tech, if a student is in New Jersey for the summer
and wanted to complete their field study at home, over the summer, it could be a great
opportunity. There are many reasons why I recommend this firm. The other
employees of Middlesex County Consumer Affairs are just wonderful. The
supervisors are also very kind. It did not pay any money, but this is clear before you
sign up for the job. Like I have said, I had the same responsibility as other fraud
investigators. It felt less like an internship and more like a real part-time job
investigating fraud. If there is a student who doesn’t necessarily need to earn money
during their internship, I highly recommend Middlesex County Consumer Affairs.