Internships

The internship is a practical hands-on experience intended to create a bridge between academic and career settings. Students will identify a field placement site in order to acquire and enhance professional skills, knowledge, standards, behaviors, and conduct within the field of human services.

Students are mentored by Dr. Buck and an approved internship field-site supervisor in 135 hours of internship work (for a 3-credit internship), and will participate via D2L (HUSV 493) to connect with their peers to discuss experiences, observations, challenges, and successes, and participate in professional development activities.

At the end of the semester, students will present a formal report of their internship experience to CAST faculty, peers, and field supervisor.

Internship Objectives

The internship is a cooperative effort undertaken by various community agencies, CAST, the Human Services program, and you, in fulfilling the following objectives:

  1. Provide opportunity to establish competencies for a professional career in human services.

  2. Develop transferrable skills that are beneficial in a professional setting.

  3. Provide active participation and understanding of the nature of human services.

  4. Apply human services classroom knowledge to a wide variety of human services community and work environments. This may include the design, implementation, and/or evaluation of projects that benefit the host agency.

  5. Provide opportunity for students to build relationships with Human service professionals within the community

  6. Offer opportunity for students to observe the competencies, skills, and responsibilities of professionals at host agencies.

  7. Challenge students to evaluate their personal attitudes and approaches to working with professionals, host agencies, and the communities served.

  8. Encourage students to reflect and expand their own competencies and professional abilities.

  9. Enable students to identify the skills, knowledge, and competencies needed for their chosen career, and to identify the benefits of advanced education and life-long learning.

Pre-requisites

  • Accepted into the human services major

  • Completed HUSV 301 and HUSV 326 with grades of C or better

  • Worked with Dr. Buck in securing an approved internship placement

A 3-credit internship requires:

  • Successful completion of 135 hours of fieldwork during the semester
    Weekly field hours may be flexible. On average, aim to complete 9 hours of work per week for 15 weeks

  • Weekly input to the D2L course site; discussions and assignments

  • Completion of professional development modules

  • Establishment and practice of a self-care plan

Be sure to review all documents linked below, starting with Internship Process

For students admitted to the Human Services program in or after Spring 2022 - please set up a time to talk with Dr. Buck about documenting prior learning experiences.

If you need inspiration in looking for an internship placement, review approved sites, and sites of past interns.

Review all resources below, and download the Intern Work Plan form, and Workplace Risk Management form.
Both forms must be completed and signed by you and your internship field supervisor, in consultation with Dr. Buck