I started working at Northstar Recovery Center in May of 2025 while preparing to begin grad school. I needed a job to gain experience in the behavioral health field and to meet the requirements for my internship, as I am currently studying forensic and correctional counseling and working toward my LMHC. I had been looking for months on Indeed, Handshake, and LinkedIn before coming across Northstar, and after applying, I called to set up an interview.
Around that time, I was also working a serving job. One of my friends mentioned that a family member of theirs had previously attended Northstar and had a really good experience, which made me feel more confident going into the interview. The process went smoothly, and I was excited to get started.
Working at Northstar
On my first day at Northstar, I remember being nervous because I had never worked in the field of substance use disorder before. My prior experiences with people struggling with addiction had not always been positive, and I realized I carried some stigma about what it might be like working with this population. I thought the people would be hard to work with; grumpy, stubborn, and unpleasant at times.
However, once I began working at Northstar, I quickly realized everything I had thought before was wrong. The clients were incredibly welcoming, helped me adjust to Northstar’s environment, and turned out to be some of the kindest people I have ever met. I found myself excited to come to work each day and work with them.
Lessons I Learned Along the Way
The clients at Northstar have taught me so much, not only about recovery, but also about myself as a person and as a counselor in training. I have witnessed resilience, vulnerability, humor, and growth in ways I never expected. Each client I interacted with played a role in shaping my understanding of recovery and what it means to truly support someone in their journey.
One of the more challenging but meaningful lessons I learned came when clients would talk about feeling like there was no hope for them and how their struggles with addiction had negatively impacted their families. Those conversations showed me that my expectations of recovery were very different from reality, and it helped me understand just how much support people truly need throughout the process.
A rewarding moment for me was when I had a client in our mental health group who was hesitant to open up at first, but as time went on became more comfortable. After several weeks in the program, they expressed feeling “changed” since they began and like they had the tools they needed to move forward. I also really enjoyed doing Jeopardy groups with clients, which became a fun way to end the day on a positive note and allowed everyone to connect and laugh together. Experiences like these helped me feel more confident in my abilities as a counselor-in-training, more connected to Northstar and the clients, and more empathetic in understanding their struggles and how best to support them.
The Team Working at Northstar
A lot of the staff are in recovery themselves, including clinicians and front desk recovery specialists. In this field, it is common for people in recovery to help others who are also trying to live sober. After hearing that many of the staff were in recovery, I was a little shocked. I had no idea that they had struggled with addiction in their lives, and hearing their stories of resilience and growth was inspiring. It also helped me better understand what recovery was like for clients, because I was able to ask staff the tough questions that people who haven’t been through addiction often wonder about.
The employees at Northstar were welcoming from day one. It was immediately clear that the staff genuinely cares about their work and about helping clients meet their needs and goals. I have never worked at a place where I truly felt that everyone loved their job and that I was a part of a team. Northstar is a place where people can be their authentic selves and thrive in whatever journey they are on.
The Importance of Community in Recovery (and Life)
One of the most meaningful things I learned was just how important community is in recovery. I saw clients encourage one another, offer support, and celebrate each other’s progress, even in the smallest ways. I also learned that people are so much more than their struggles. Each person at Northstar brought their own personality, humor, strengths, and goals, and getting to know everyone as individuals really shifted my perspective.
What I didn’t expect was how much I needed that community too. While clients relied on the support around them, I found myself growing because of it as well. The sense of connection at Northstar created a space where everyone, clients, staff, and even loved ones, could learn, grow, and support one another.
Being part of the Northstar community helped me grow personally and strengthened my passion for working in this field.
Saying Goodbye
I am sad to leave, but Northstar has taught me so much that I will carry with me forever. This experience has not only prepared me for my future career, but it has also changed the way I view recovery, growth, and human connection. I am incredibly grateful for the time I spent here and for every person who played a role in my journey.
If you are a graduate student, or someone who is interested in the substance use or behavioral health field, then I can’t recommend interning or working at Northstar enough. The staff and clients are welcoming and it is a great environment to thrive and gain experience. I have loved working here and I am sure anyone else will too.
Additionally, if you or a loved one are struggling with addiction or mental health challenges, I can assure you will be in good hands here.
