Internships & Practicum Experiences – On-Demand Training

Build Strong Connections & Help Students Secure Impactful Experiences

Internships are a key form of experiential learning for students as well as a time-proven talent pipeline and development for organizations. However, organizations and institutions don’t always know where to start when developing opportunities for students or how to work together to make the process accessible for students.

Students may feel hopeless or frustrated at the lack of quality, paid opportunities as they navigate life choices during and beyond their schooling. Some students may not even know where to begin looking for opportunities or be able to identify what a meaningful experience should include during their search.

Departments within college campuses approach internships vastly different, making it confusing for internship support staff to know how to best cover their bases legally, programmatically, politically and beyond. Programs and majors have differing accreditation standards and philosophies regarding things like student pay, course credit, placement processes, etc. that also contribute to industry inequities down the line. Companies may also feel lost or unsure of how the investment in internship programs can help their organization overall and lead to broadening their future workforce pipelines.  

Our expert presenters discuss how to build and maintain internship programs, support students in securing impactful experiences, and center equity through each step of the process. 

Topics Covered

Gain crucial, actionable takeaways that will help you:

• Work with employers to develop internship programs that are in compliance with labor laws and in alignment with organizational priorities.
• Identify common barriers that prevent equitable access to internships, such as financial constraints, lack of networks, or discriminatory practices and better support students in their search processes.
• Understand the importance of mentorship, professional development opportunities and supportive environments during internships.
• Explore ways to advocate for equity within your institution’s internship opportunities and strategies for continuous improvement of internship programs.
• Assess and evaluate internship programs to better improve student experiences and employer outcomes in the future.
  

Presenters

Sam Boren serves as the Associate Director of Experiential Education within the Career Center at Colorado State University.
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Marie Tyrrell is a passionate advocate for experiential learning, with a specific emphasis on internships and equity. 
Click here for full bio.