The Sociology Internship is a 4-credit, unpaid work placement designed to provide qualified junior and senior sociology majors the opportunity to gain further knowledge and understanding of sociological concepts in an applied, community-based organizational setting. Student participants will be required to contribute 8 to 10 hours a week in service to an organization and meet once a week in a seminar with other internship participants. During the seminar, knowledge and experiences gained from your internship experience will be shared and analyzed.
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Eligibility
The internships are awarded on a competitive basis. Students must be a Sociology Major or Minor, and have completed 60 credits (15 must be in Sociology). Students who are selected must have at least a 2.5 GPA, qualified junior and senior sociology majors/minors, and two letters of recommendation and a recent resume.
What Can You Expect From the Program?
You will work with a member of the sociology faculty to find an appropriate placement with an organization in the central Connecticut region. The organizations will provide interns the opportunity for a valuable learning experience. This means not only the chance to experience the daily micro-level operation of an organization, but also the opportunity to be exposed to the macro-level workings of the organization as well.
This may take the form of participating in organizational meetings, attending formal and informal organizational functions, “shadowing” supervisors, executive directors, and other decision-making personnel. Interns will be expected to serve their organization in the capacities that the organizations deem most useful. This may include, but not be limited to, such tasks as clerical/administrative, community outreach/education, or research and development. Interns SHOULD NOT expect that they will be sentenced to thirteen weeks of only answering phones or filing folders.
And while these job placements are unpaid, students are required to approach the work with maturity and a professional attitude. The organizations expect the interns will be punctual, responsible, and courteous to co-workers and clientele. Your length of service to the organization will be approximately 100 hours.
How to Apply
Download the application materials from the link above, fill them out, and return them to the Sociology Department for review. If accepted, you will be contacted before preregistration so that you can be scheduled for the SOC490 Community Internship Experience and Seminar and register for the course. You will work with the faculty member to find an appropriate placement before the end of the Fall semester. You will also be required to interview with your prospective organization and supervisor to see if you are a good “fit” and so you can start to work immediately at the beginning of the Spring semester.
We look forward to your interest and participation!