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Effective Winter Term 2007
Approved October 5, 2006
Introduction:
Internships are credit-based structured, supervised off-campus learning
opportunities in non-profit, governmental, educational, associations, or
health care organizations in the U.S. or abroad. This includes organizations
in other sectors that are directly relevant to the work of the nonprofit
sector. Students may choose internships to prepare then for specific careers
or to help in their career choice process. In some cases, students may find
that internships help them identify thesis topics or integrated seminar
projects.
Purpose of Internships:
As a highly individualized learning experience, the internship has two
purposes:
1. It provides the student with an opportunity to integrate her/his
practical and academic experiences in the context of public service
management
2. It gives the student the opportunity to make a contribution to society,
thereby extending the public service mission of DePaul University.
With this as background, it is not generally possible for a student to
undertake an internship in an organization for which she/he already works.
The exception to this is if the student is then assigned internship duties
totally different than those typically performed and for another part of the
organization. Usually there is no compensation for internships performed in
non-profit organizations. However, some municipal government organizations
often provide a small stipend for their internships.
Academic Credit for Internships:
Students can receive either (a) four (4) quarter hour elective academic
credits for the internship experience by completing MPS 601, the Internship
course or the MPS 610 International Internship by working in the internship
10 hours per week for the 10-week period or (b) earn two (2) quarter hours
for participating in internships for one-half of that time commitment.
Students may register for the internship during any regular university
registration periods. Letter grades are awarded for an internship.
Student Preparation:
Students interested in doing an internship for academic credit must apply
only after they successfully complete at least 12 credit hours of Public
Services graduate study. This assures a sound academic base from which to
productively assist an organization in performing administrative and
management work and make a positive contribution to the organization. In
addition, this educational preparation will provide confidence in tackling
internship activities. Coursework covering organizational analysis, exposure
to administrative writing and analysis, presentation skills, finance and
budgeting, and the interactions of the nonprofit, government and private
sectors are extremely useful entering an internship. Exceptions to this
credit hour requirement may be made depending on the unique circumstances.
The Internship Process:
Generally, the internship process includes the following steps:
1. The student makes an appointment to meet with the Internship Director to
work together to identify internship possibilities and discuss particular
interests. Often the student has a good idea or what she/he wants to do and
the experiences needed. In some cases, the student may have already
identified an organization where she/he prefers to intern. In other cases,
the Internship Director and the student work together to design an
appropriate experience. The Internship Director may provide some leads that
the student finds useful as a place to start looking.
2. Once the student has a clear sense of the type of internship preferred,
the student typically contacts the organization directly to discuss
internship possibilities. The student may wish to discuss course work and/or
past experience with the organizational representative as a technique to
showcase skills and interest in assisting that organization through an
internship.
3. The student then contacts the Internship Director to discuss the
appropriateness of that particular organization as an internship site. The
student should be prepared to discuss some of the responsibilities involved.
4. Upon preliminary approval, the student completes the Internship
Application on the web and then based on the application, drafts an
"Internship Agreement" that identifies the following:
a. The name, address and phone number of the organization
b. The name and email of the internship site supervisor
c. A brief description of the organization, including its mission and key
activities
d. The student's personal goals for the internship
[this area should be discussed first with the potential Site Supervisor to
be sure that accomplishment of these goals are realistic during the
internship]
e. How much time the student plans to spend at the internship each week
f. A description of the intern's responsibilities and planned activities
throughout
the internship [this should be obtained from the potential Site Supervisor]
5. The student emails or brings a copy of this agreement to the Internship
Director, who makes the final determination if the experience as designed in
the application and Agreement advances the student's program in public
services management or international public service. If so, the following
occurs:
a. The student completes the Informal Registration form declaring the desire
to enroll in MPS 601 or MPS 610 and the particular term involved. The
Internship Director and the Director, Public Services Graduate Program must
both sign, giving their approval. This approval must be given PRIOR to the
student commencing the internship.
b. The student, the Internship Director and the Site Supervisor must sign
the agreement. In most cases, the Internship Director will visit the Site
Supervisor at the organization selected and, with the student present, all
three sign the agreement together. If this is not possible, it is up to the
student to obtain the signature of the site supervisor. The student retains
the original copy of the signed agreement. The Internship Director and Site
Supervisor retain a duplicated copy of the signed agreement for their
records.
Internship Accountability:
Since the internship is intended to serve as a highly individualized
learning experience, the following is required:
1. The student must fulfill the agreed upon number of internship hours as
stated in the agreement. If it is for 4-quarter hours of academic credit,
then the student must work 100 hours spread over the time frame agreed to by
the Site Supervisor, or 50 hours for the 2-quarter hours of academic credit.
2. The intern must send weekly emails to the Internship Director describing
the key intern’s actions occurring that week. This serves as a monitoring
process to assure the internship is meeting the agreement.
3. The intern will meet twice during the term with the Internship Director
to discuss reflections, concerns, issues, successes, readings and linkage to
MPS Program. Selected readings identified by the Internship Director will be
discussed at meetings between the student and the Internship Director to
expand on the academic framework of the internship experience. These
readings are selected with the input of the student. Prior to the discussion
meetings, the student may be asked to provide a brief (1-page) memo
containing the major points in a text that were helpful during the
internship.
4. The Internship Director may request a site visit with the Site Supervisor
and intern depending on circumstances during the internship period.
5. Internship Paper. The student must write a paper describing the
internship experience. This paper should be no less than 6 double-spaced
pages (approximately 1500 words). The paper should be in textual format with
limited use of short bullet points. It should be submitted to the Internship
Director no later than 2 weeks before the end of the term near the
conclusion of the internship. This paper should cover the following aspects
of the internship:
a. Why the student was interested in undertaking an internship
b. Why the student chose this particular organization
b. Description of the actual duties performed
c. Description of the original goals of the internship
d. Discussion of the successful aspects of the internship and analyze the
reasons
for this success
e. Discussion of the unsuccessful aspects and provide insight as to why
these
occurred
f. Discussion of how the internship connected to MPS coursework and theory
g. Description of what the student gained from this internship experience
h. How the student used his/her strengths and how the internship enhanced
them
i. Discussion on how the organization contributed to the internship
experience
j. Reflections on lessons-learned during the internship opportunity and how
it
connects to the students future career ideas.
Attachments illustrating some evidence of the intern’s activities and
results performed during the internship are encouraged with the Internship
paper. Examples of such work include, but are not limited to, flyers,
business plans, proposals, minutes of organizational meetings, or letters
sent. Please do not include confidential or individual’s personal data.
6. The Internship Director serves as a resource person for the student
throughout the duration of the internship. The student may contact the
Internship Director to discuss the work involved or the readings. The
student should alert the Internship Director if the work changes
substantially from what was agreed to in the signed Agreement.
Elements of a Successful Internship:
Interns:
- Set realistic goals for what you hope to learn and accomplish in the
internship
- Approach the internship with a positive attitude. It is essential that the
intern tackle all tasks with enthusiasm. Show excitement and energy about
the field, the organization, and the tasks.
- Seek out various opportunities to learn even more at the site. Ask what
other offices do and how your work links with those offices. Inquire with
regular staff on site about their jobs and seek advice on the culture and
context of the organization.
- Treat the internship as a “real” job since that is exactly what the
opportunity is at this time. Make a lasting impression by exceed
expectations. Ask for clarifications if necessary. That is how people learn.
- Upon completion of the internship, remember to leave on a positive note.
Perhaps send a “thank you” letter to the site supervisor for her/his help.
Try to stay connected as a way to network and use for your future.
- Remember to say “thank you” throughout the internship when assistance is
provided from an organization member. These contacts make excellent
recommendations for jobs in the future.
Organization Site Supervisors:
- Provide meaningful administrative / managerial level work for the graduate
intern in accordance with the Internship Agreement.
- Devote some time to mentor the intern and provide some assistance to help
the intern be successful at the organization
- Integrate classroom leaning with professional work assignments, perhaps
through a variety of projects or one project that involves multiple skills.
- Arrange for the intern to observe various projects outside of normal
duties assigned, take to meetings, speak in front of groups (clients,
citizens, officials, managers, etc.),
- Have interns use skills in analysis, written and oral communications, work
independently and in groups and teams.
- Provide regular feedback to the intern to assess progress on projects, as
well as work relationships and performance strengths and limitations.
- They are invited to contact the Internship Director at any time if any
concerns or questions arise about the internship.
Evaluation of the Internship:
- The intern receives a letter grade for the course.
- The Internship Director will email an Intern Evaluation form to the Site
Supervisor to complete and return to the Internship Director within two
weeks of the conclusion of the internship.
For more information, please see Dean F. Eitel, Ph.D. Internship
Director. (deitel@depaul.edu /
312-362-5574).
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