Welcome to the Westmont Internship Program
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.
What is an internship? An internship is a semester-long, work-learning arrangement. It is major-specific or general and supervised. 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. Important elements that distinguish an internship from a short-term job or volunteer work are an intentional self-directed learning strategy, critical reflection on what it means to be a Christian in the workplace, verbal and written reflection, and an emphasis on professional development.
At Westmont, internships for academic credit are available to juniors and seniors in 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. For more information contact Jennifer Taylor, the Director of Internships at 565-6085 or stop by the Internship Office on the top floor of Voskuyl Library.
Spring & Summer 2008 Information
April 25, 2008Internships provide a great opportunity to practice classroom knowledge and skills in the workplace! Santa Barbara offers a multitude of work opportunities. What's more, some internships allow students to explore issues of diversity and justice, thereby fulfilling a general education requirement.
As spring semester draws to a close, students are making summer plans. Summer internships are encouraged! Unlike during the regular academic year, summer internships are not generally taken for academic credit. However, they are often a good way to gain meaningful work experience in a non-local context. Take a look at some possibilities by clicking on Summer 08 Internships on the left hand menu of this page.
As for fall internships, ideally you should start your search during the summer since it often takes a few weeks to secure your placement. Don't be discouraged however, if you need to find something at the beginning of the semester. How does it work? Students register for internship credit by submitting a completed Internship Learning Agreement Form (ILAF) to the Internship Office. This agreement is signed by a work supervisor and a faculty practicum advisor. The ILAF must be submitted by the deadline established by the Records Office, approximately 4 weeks after the beginning of the semester.
When a student earns credit for an internship, he or she participates in a regular inidividual conference or concurrent seminar ( processing the work experience in a community of peers) facilitated by a faculty member.
Part-time internships are available in the fall and spring semesters, may be taken for either major or elective credit and last a minimum of 12 weeks. The hours vary to accommodate the specific requirements of the internship and the major.
For current local listings, see
http://webapps.westmont.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/offices.woa/wa/sbinternships.
Hard copies of the ILAF are available in the Registrar's Office in Kerrwood Hall or the Internship Office on the top floor of the library. For more information, contact Jennifer Taylor at x 6085 or email jtaylor@westmont.edu.
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 (not available in May-or summer-term) in advance of, or, at the beginning of the term, a student elects to do a minimum of 12 hours of community service over the course of the semester. Options for service vary widely. Some reading and written reflection is required. The student's hours are documented and his or her work is evaluated by a supervisor in the community. Requirements include:
1. Meet with the Service Coordinator for orientation.
2. Complete a Serving Society Application.
3. Submit an ILAF by the deadline established by the Records Office.
4. Serve a minimum of 12 hours over the course of the semester at an approved worksite.
5. Read the assigned article or text.
6. Write a 4-page paper, drawing connections between the reading and your service.
7. Meet with the Service Coordinator at mid-term to review your Serving Society paper.
8. Supervisor Evaluation documenting service hours is due by Tuesday of finals week.
9. Student Evaluation-plus-hourly-log is due no later than Tuesday of finals week.
For more information, please contact Mrs. Jennifer Taylor, Director of Internships (jtaylor@westmont.edu or 805.565.6085).