Spring 2012 - Westmont's Internship Program
On-line Internship Learning Agreement Forms (ILAFs) are due February 8th by 3:30 PM.
Students planning to earn credit for an internship, practicum, or serving society opportunity during spring semester are encouraged to register as soon as possible, up through January 13, 2012.
By participating in an internship, a student may test classroom theories in a real work setting, assess personal strengths, hone personal skills, and begin a network of employer contacts. The undergraduate years are an excellent time to explore work options. An additional benefit is that employers and graduate schools look for applicants with one or more career-related experiences.
The registration period for spring internships and practica extends into early February. However, it is best to secure an internship by the regular "add" deadline. Look for local possibilities here.
What is an internship? An internship is a semester-long, work-learning arrangement. It can be major-specific or exploratory. When a student earns academic credit for an internship, oversight is provided by both a faculty instructor and a site supervisor. The experience takes place in an off-campus setting, is part-time, and may be paid or unpaid. It is combined with a reflective, academic study that helps one learn by doing. At Westmont, important elements that distinguish an internship from a short-term job or volunteer work are:
*An intentional self-directed learning strategy;
*Verbal and written reflection;
*An emphasis on professional development;
*Critical reflection on what it means to integrate faith and learning in the workplace
At Westmont, internships for academic credit are available to students in good standing who can arrange for their own transportation. They are available in both the fall and spring semesters. Hours vary to accommodate the specific requirements of the internship, the student's major and the student's course load.
| Units | Hours per Week | Total Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 6 | 80 |
| 3 | 9 | 120 |
| 4 | 12 | 160 |
For more information contact Jennifer Taylor, the Director of Internships by email at jmtaylor@westmont.edu.
Spring 2012
Internships provide an opportunity to practice classroom knowledge and skills in the workplace. Greater Santa Barbara offers a multitude of work opportunities. What's more, some internships allow students to explore issues of diversity and justice, thereby fulfilling the Serving Society general education requirement. The most recent listings for local internships may be found on our new search system here. These opportunities represent both local and non-local employers.
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, or, at the beginning of the term, a student elects to log a minimum of 12 hours of community service over the course of the semester. Options for service vary widely. A list of participating organizations may be found on the left-hand menu, "Community Partners 2012," under the sub-heading Forms. This is not an exhaustive list. APP-191SS requires some reading and written reflection. The student's hours are documented and his or her work is evaluated by the site supervisor. Course requirements include but may not be limited to the following:
- Meet with the Service Coordinator for orientation during the first week of classes.
- Complete the Preliminary Response sheet.
- Complete the on-line ILAF by the due date. (The ILAF is not considered complete unless it is approved by a worksite supervisor and Westmont's service coordinator.)
- Serve a minimum of twelve hours over the course of the semester at an approved site. Six hours of service must be completed by midterm.
- Complete the assigned reading.
- Write a Serving Society paper based on the reading assignment.
- Meet with the Service Coordinator at mid-to-late term to discuss the Serving Society paper.
- Supervisor submits evaluation and documents service hours.
- Supervisor Evaluation-plus-hourly-log is due no later than Tuesday of finals week.
For more information, please contact Mrs. Jennifer Taylor, Director of Internships (jmtaylor@westmont.edu).