Throughout the internship, faculty and advisors play a crucial role in guiding students towards a successful and enriching experience and should consider the following to ensure student success:
- Regular Communication: Faculty should maintain ongoing, focused communication with the student-intern on a weekly basis throughout the internship semester.
- Review of Evaluations: Carefully review student and host supervisor evaluations upon receipt and follow up with students as needed.
- Emphasize Academic Connection: Ensure the internship progress aligns with academic studies and fosters a strong connection between theory and practical experience.
- Mid-term Site Visit: Schedule a mid-term site visit with the site supervisor and student to observe and assess the internship experience.
- Multiple Assignments: Incorporate several assignments spaced throughout the internship, encouraging diverse formats such as asynchronous discussion threads, e-mail summaries, photo essays, videos, reflections, etc.
- Evaluation Criteria: The majority of faculty evaluation should be based on academic assignments, with consideration of host site supervisor assessments. Students and site supervisors will complete separate evaluations at three points during the internship. Faculty advisors will receive email notifications when evaluations are available for review.
- Preliminary Evaluation: Provide a brief "heads up" preliminary evaluation to address immediate issues or concerns.
- Midpoint Evaluation: Utilize the midpoint evaluation to assess the internship's quality and identify opportunities for improvement. The academic internship coordinator is available for midpoint site visits if scheduling necessitates.
- Final Evaluation: Conduct a comprehensive final evaluation to assess the internship experience from the perspectives of both the student and host supervisor.
Faculty, Instructor and Advisor Guidelines to the Mid-Semester Site Visit
The mid-semester site visit is a valuable opportunity for faculty to engage with the organization and student-intern, reinforcing the importance of our partnership. During the visit, faculty should express gratitude for the host site's collaboration with Penn State Greater Allegheny's internship program and emphasize the significance of this partnership in shaping students' educational experiences.
Key Objectives of the Mid-Semester Site Visit:
- Assess the student-intern's performance and explore possibilities for the remaining internship period.
- Review the host supervisor's midpoint evaluation of the student-intern (previously received and reviewed).
- Highlight the student's strengths and areas for improvement, delving into significant aspects of the evaluation, not just ticking off listed categories.
- Evaluate how well the original work description aligns with the actual work performed to date.
- Encourage the student-intern's exploration of aspects within the organization that interest them, fostering a mutually beneficial experience.
- Discuss opportunities to strengthen the partnership between Greater Allegheny and the organization, as well as with other organizations and the local community.
- Seek the host supervisor's valuable insights and opinions on the internship process, identifying areas for improvement.
- Identify specific skills and knowledge that employers would like to see in college graduates, addressing any existing gaps in Greater Allegheny students' competencies.
Faculty should use this visit to support the continued success of the internship and contribute to the overall development of our students. By addressing these objectives thoughtfully, we can ensure that the internship experience remains enriching and aligned with academic goals.
Faculty, Instructor and Advisor Conclusion of the Internship
As the internship concludes, faculty members have several important tasks to complete to ensure a comprehensive evaluation and meaningful closure for the student:
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Evaluate Student Performance: Faculty should thoroughly assess the student-intern's overall performance throughout the internship and assign an appropriate grade for the course based on their achievements and academic assignments.
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Meet and Debrief with the Student: Schedule a one-on-one meeting with the student to review their internship experience. During this debrief, encourage the student to record a one-to-two-minute video sharing their insights and reflections using the campus One Button Studio in 105 Crawford. This video should serve as an inspirational piece for other students undertaking future internships. Students should post the video in the CANVAS Assignments Page for grading.
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Encourage Slide Presentation: Each student should be motivated to prepare a compelling five-minute slide presentation summarizing their internship experience. These presentations will be shared with the campus community, employers, and campus advisory board during the Internship Presentation Breakfast held at the end of each semester. Students are required to post their slide deck in the CANVAS Assignments Page for grading.
By engaging in thorough evaluation, conducting meaningful debriefing sessions, and encouraging dynamic presentations, faculty contribute significantly to the success of the internship program and support students in showcasing their growth and accomplishments to the wider academic community.