Seventy-nine
Internships
in Fall
2004:
Stepping Stones to Careers
PMC’s Internship Program was developed with an inclusive and
collaborative leadership approach to experiential learning.
by Julie Ginn-Komack,
Coordinator of Experiential Learning,
Internships, and Career Services
Julie Ginn-Komack
Julie Ginn-Komack’s education and work experience have given
her a broad background in counseling and guiding others toward achieving
their academic and personal goals. She has worked in urban environments
for the past eight years in roles such as high school English teacher,
minority transfer counselor, college preparatory director, life skills
teacher, and student success programs director. She has worked primarily
with prospective first generation college students, helping them
deal with the realities and challenges of career planning and building.
Last
fall, students were fortunate to participate in a well-structured,
fun, and exciting Internship Program. Students of varied majors and
disciplines got the opportunity to challenge themselves, learn new
skills and abilities, and enhance and build on already existing ones
in areas of their interest. Students participated in internships at
79 sites, ranging from the state’s attorney general’s office
to hotels and hospitals. (See list
of participating sites.)
PMC’s
Internship Program was developed with an inclusive and collaborative
leadership approach to experiential learning. Students, faculty, and
site supervisors work hand in hand to promote and encourage student
growth. Students start the program by setting attainable goals and
communicating them with their faculty sponsor and site supervisor.
Midway through the 12-week program they evaluate their progress with
regard to the goals they had set and the individual attention they
have received from faculty and site supervisors.
The learning that
takes place throughout the Internship Program benefits not only the
student, but also all the parties involved. In addition, students interact
with faculty sponsors and fellow students in an in-class seminar that
focuses on career-related topics. Workshops emanating from the Career
Services Office enhance this process, for example, sessions on topics
such as résumés and cover letters,
and working with supervisors.
At the end of their internships students
submit a summary report of their experiences and discuss whether or
not they would recommend their site to an upcoming senior. The overwhelming
majority of students this academic year—95 percent!—recommended
their site.
To celebrate the internship experience, students, site supervisors,
and faculty sponsors gathered at a special reception in the Moncrief
Room in the Ferry Building at the end of the semester. President
Gloria Nemerowicz and Dean of the College Nia Chester recognized and
thanked the site supervisors for their help and commitment to the students
and the program. (See event photos
and student responses.) They also announced
the formation of a Student Career Advocacy Council (SCAC), where site
supervisors, students, faculty, and staff will collaborate in structured
and inclusive ways to offer additional career-related support services
for PMC students, such as guest speakers, job shadow days, and networking
events.
Site supervisors
filled out evaluation/interest sheets while at the reception, with
100 percent of them indicating a desire to have another PMC intern
in the fall of 2005. Moreover, 80 percent expressed interest in hiring
their student intern full-time, and 75 percent signed up to participate
in the SCAC.
Continued...
Read accompanying article, Sampling
of Fall 2004 Internship Experiences,
which includes students' responses, photos, and fall 2004 participating
sites.
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