Throughout the internship, faculty and advisors play pivotal roles in ensuring students have a successful and enriching experience. Key considerations include:
-
Regular Communication: Maintain weekly communication with the student-intern to provide ongoing guidance and support.
-
Review of Evaluations: Carefully assess student and host supervisor evaluations and provide feedback as necessary to enhance learning outcomes.
-
Emphasize Academic Connection: Ensure the internship aligns with academic studies, bridging theory and practical experience effectively.
-
Mid-term Site Visit: Schedule a mid-term visit with the site supervisor and student to evaluate progress and discuss opportunities for growth.
-
Multiple Assignments: Incorporate diverse assignments throughout the internship period to foster learning in various formats (e.g., discussions, summaries, reflections).
-
Evaluation Criteria: Base faculty evaluations on academic assignments, complemented by host site supervisor assessments. Monitor evaluations at key points during the internship.
Guidelines for the Mid-Semester Site Visit
The mid-semester site visit is a critical opportunity for faculty to engage with the organization and student-intern, reinforcing our educational partnership. Objectives include:
- Assessing student performance and discussing future internship goals.
- Reviewing host supervisor evaluations and discussing strengths and areas for improvement.
- Ensuring alignment between the internship's scope and actual experience.
- Exploring opportunities for mutual benefit between the organization and Penn State Greater Allegheny.
- Gathering insights from the host supervisor to improve internship processes and student competencies.
Conclusion of the Internship: Faculty Responsibilities
As the internship concludes, faculty should:
- Evaluate Student Performance: Assess overall performance and assign grades based on academic achievements.
- Debrief with the Student: Conduct a final meeting to review the internship experience and encourage students to record a reflective video for future interns.
- Encourage Slide Presentation: Guide students in preparing a brief presentation summarizing their internship journey for the campus community.
By fulfilling these responsibilities, faculty and advisors contribute to the internship program's success and support students in demonstrating their growth and accomplishments.