Welcome to the Westmont Internship Program
An internship is a semester-long, supervised work experience related to a student's major or career goal for which the student earns academic credit. The work experience is part-time, paid or unpaid, and off-campus. What distinguishes an internship from a short-term job or volunteer work? Intentional learning takes place in the form of a self-directed learning plan. The plan is put together in consultation with a faculty advisor and the supervising employer. Westmont interns participate in a concurrent seminar on campus in order to read about and discuss issues of calling as well as to process both verbally and in writing the work experience in a community of peers. Internships are made available to juniors and seniors in the fall and spring semesters.
The Westmont Internship Program offers a wonderful opportunity for matching students with opportunities in the community. We can assist you in publicizing your position on campus. To list a position, enter your information here.
Fall Semester 2008 Information
October 2008Classes are well underway as we have passed the one-month mark for fall semester. The registration deadline for internships-for-credit has come and gone. However, employers are welcomed to list internship opportunities for students year round. Whether earning credit or not, students welcome opportunities to work, serve and gain pre-professional experience in the greater Santa Barbara area. Please keep in mind that Westmont's fall semester ends in December. Students are encouraged to line up internships for spring semester (term extends from January through April 2009) during the latter part of fall semester if at all possible. Does your company or organization have a pre-professional opportunity for a Westmont student that would work within this time frame? If so, please list an internship with us! Employers may post positions here.
For the academic year, as much as possible, we try to line up the student's schedule with the employer’s needs within the semester calendar. Ideally, a fall internship would begin in early September and end in early December. Spring internships start up in January and end in late April. Students generally work an average of 10 to 12 hours per week. However, they may work as few as six or as many as 20, depending upon the circumstances. Our new website allows employers to update their listings as the organization’s circumstances change.
For more information, please contact Jennifer Taylor, Director of Internships (jtaylor@westmont.edu) or call (805) 565-6085.
Serving Society
Outside of a service-oriented internship, students have the option of fulfilling the Competent and Compassionate Action area of the GE requirement another way.
By enrolling in APP-191SS (Serving Society for zero credits) in advance of the service, a student participates in a minimum of 12 hours of community service over the course of the semester. Does your organization have a project or need that may be met by a student volunteer? The student's hours are documented and his or her work is evaluated by a supervisor in the community. On this end, some reading and written reflection is required. An updated, Non-Profit Site List of participating organizations may be found on the left side menu.
For more information, please contact Mrs. Jennifer Taylor, Director of Internships (jtaylor@westmont.edu or 805.565.6085).