Internships
An internship (PUPL 416) is designed to provide students with actual work experience in a community setting and an opportunity to work directly with people involved in an agency, service, or organization. The student will gain insight into the structure, responsibilities and routines of the setting, the work of the staff, and the background and needs of the clients.
The student may benefit in at least the following three ways:
- Gaining actual work experience as a means of enhancing theories and concepts learned in the classroom
- Testing personal satisfaction with a particular type of work
- Making contacts that may help in securing future employment
Students work with the internship coordinator, Dr. Beth Easterling, PLACE, or through their own contacts to find a suitable internship site.
What kind of internships are out there for Public Policy students?
Students conduct internships in the Roanoke Valley and elsewhere. Students may conduct summer internships for credit near their hometown. Paid internships are permitted.
Requirements for Registration:
Classified as a sophomore or higher; minimum overall GPA of 2.0 or a minimum major GPA of 2.5 for the past two semesters; successful completion of 3 courses in public policy.
Course Designation:
PUPL 416 (1 unit; P/F).
Internship Coordinator, Site Supervisor, and Internship Requirements:
Before beginning the internship, the student must complete all required forms for registration in PUPL 416. To earn credit, the student must: complete a minimum of 120 hours at the internship site; submit a journal that reflects on the daily experiences of the internship; communicate with the Internship Coordinator throughout the internship; complete a 7-10 page paper, and; present a poster at a campus showcasing event.
The paper should discuss: the mission of the organization; an analysis of how the organization fulfills that mission; an assessment of the practical and experiential benefits of the internship, and; an analysis of how the internship experiences relate to, enhance, or differ from theories and concepts learned in the classroom.
Application:
Students complete all application forms, including the internship application and two Learning Agreements (student’s goals and site supervisor). Forms must be completed no later than one week before the start of the semester. The site supervisor will complete an evaluation at the end of the internship.