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This session at the 2011 CACEE National Conference in Niagara Falls, Ontario explores the benefits, challenges, and coexistence of internships with other forms of experiential learning. Presenters Karly Pinch and Karen Benzinger share their experiences coordinating internship programs at UBC and the University of Windsor.
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2011 CACEE National Conference Niagara Falls, Ontario June 2011 Karly Pinch & Karen Benzinger Internships: Yes We Can!
Session Outline • Background • What is an Internship? • Our Internships • Overview and Program Goals • Characteristics (Similarities & Differences) • Support of Student Learning • Assessment & Evaluation • Benefits & Challenges • Co-Existence with Other Forms of Experiential Learning • Questions & Answers Internships: Yes We Can!
Background: UBC • Karly Pinch, UBC • Arts Internship Program Coordinator • UBC Career Services • Career skills building workshops, advising, online resources, job posting • On-campus work program • Career fairs • Employer info session • Arts Internship Program Internships: Yes We Can!
Background: Windsor • Karen Benzinger, University of Windsor • Director, Centre for Career Education • Career Services at UWindsor • CCE, Business and Law • Centre for Career Education • Workshops, events, on-line resources, job postings, advising • Co-op (Engineering, Business, Kinesiology, Physics, Computer Science) • Practicum Support • Volunteer Internship Program Internships: Yes We Can!
What is an Internship? • Lack of consistency in use of the term • Can be • Paid or unpaid • Full or part time • One semester or multiple semesters in length • For credit or not • Completed in any industry sector • Done concurrently with studies or in a single block placement • Resource: Typology of Work-Integrated Learning in Ontario’s Postsecondary Sector • Included in a new HEQCO report available at: http://www.heqco.ca Internships: Yes We Can!
What is an Internship? • Usually involves: • Student completing meaningful work in an organization • Skill development and career development for the intern • Performance assessment of the intern by the supervisor • Assessment of related activities by institution • Implication: Wide array of program models are possible Internships: Yes We Can!
Our Internships: Basic Comparison Internships: Yes We Can!
Arts Internship: Program Goals Enrich Arts student’s educational experience by enabling them to take part in internship opportunities that will expand and clarify their career goals Improve the preparedness of Arts students for fulfilling careers and increase their ability to work with and for their community Expose Arts students to learning opportunities that fall outside of the typical “jobs” available for undergraduate Arts students Enable Arts students to develop their professional skills through real-world application of their knowledge combined with support and feedback from supervisors Internships: Yes We Can!
VIP: Program Goals To provide students with access to experiences within the community. To develop professional employment readiness skills in students such (accountability, communication etc.) To help students develop a network of contacts in the community. To assist students in the identification or clarification of career interests and expectations. To develop an appreciation for the value of volunteerism among students. To teach students how to learn from a variety of experiences. Internships: Yes We Can!
Our Internships: General Comparison of Learning Outcomes Internships: Yes We Can!
Our Internships: Comparison of Tools Supporting Student Learning Internships: Yes We Can!
Sample Evidence of Student Learning: Windsor • 40% increase in portion of sample group that self reported their intention to continue actively volunteering from those that had self-reported volunteering in the 12 months prior to their participation in VIP • 89% of students were able to articulate a satisfactory or better answer to a behavioural interview question using the STAR formula and an example from their VIP placement Internships: Yes We Can!
Student Comments: Windsor “My VIP Experience proved to me that this is my calling in life and that has motivated me to work even harder to achieve my goal to be a social worker” “The VIP Program is a great career-building experience which allowed me to give back to the community and to network with business professionals” “The results of [VIP Employer Evaluation] have motivated me to continue volunteering with this organization and others...” Internships: Yes We Can!
Student Testimonials: UBC “I found it very valuable to gain experience in a non-profit organization. I was introduced to some of the struggles that these groups go through regarding funding and the economic environment. I also learned a great deal about the environmental initiatives that exist in Vancouver” “I was able to apply skills I have honed in university to tasks that I found meaningful and relevant to others as well as myself” “I gained practical hands-on experience doing a variety of tasks in an office environment. My experience here has helped me get a related paid job for the school year.” Internships: Yes We Can!
Assessment & Evaluation (UBC) Gather evaluation information from students at multiple points in the internship to reflect on the program support Students assess their own learning through the Learning Agreement Employers are evaluated annually to reflect on the program support Employers and students conduct feedback assessments at the end of their terms with each other Internships: Yes We Can!
Assessment & Evaluation (UBC) • Students evaluate program based on: • Relevance of internship to long-term goals • Quality of support from AIP office • Learning gained during the internship • Effect of internship on future educational and career plans • Confidence in future employability Internships: Yes We Can!
Assessment & Evaluation (Windsor) • Windsor uses framework based on inputs, processes & outcomes • Gathers data from students & employers about • Costs (inputs) • Usage & satisfaction (processes) • Learning (learning outcomes) • Confidence (personal attribute outcomes) • Likelihood to continue volunteering (impact outcomes) Internships: Yes We Can!
Assessment & Evaluation: Tools Internships: Yes We Can!
Benefits to Students • Experience • Career exploration • Skill development • Networking • Learning • Confidence Internships: Yes We Can!
Benefits to the Institution Increased student engagement Strengthened ties to the community Positive student feedback Internships: Yes We Can!
Benefits to the Community Increased exposure to the student body Strengthened ties to the institution Short term assistance for low/no cost Connection to students with potential to become long term volunteers or employees Internships: Yes We Can!
Challenges Internships: Yes We Can!
Co-existence With Other EL • Many different ways of doing this • Consider: • Different structure from other programs (# hours, employer sector) • Targeting the program to students in programs without other EL programs Internships: Yes We Can!
Co-existence With Other EL: UBC Internships: Yes We Can!
Co-existence With Other EL: Windsor Internships: Yes We Can!
Exercise What are the main challenges to starting an internship program at your institution? What might be the main challenges once you have a program running? How can we address these challenges? Internships: Yes We Can!
Conclusion Internships can be structured in a wide variety of ways Be creative....what makes sense for your campus? Build support by building relationships and working collaboratively Internships: Yes We Can!
