Internships in Sociology
All sociology majors are eligible for Sociology 397 (Field Work in Sociology). In co-operation with UNL's Internship and Cooperative Educataion office, stundents may earn up to four hours credit in sociology through an internship with a public or private agency in Nebraska. These internships provide on-the-job experiences in human services, policy, research and management and help to relate this work to the academic program. An internship also helps to build a resume for future employment.
Lisa A. Kort-Butler, Ph.D. Department of Sociology
736 Oldfather Hall
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, NE 68588-0324 Phone: (402) 472-6005
Email: lkortbutler2@unl.edu
What is an internship through the Department of Sociology?
An internship completed through the Department of Sociology allows you to explore an area that interests you and to apply your previous sociology course work. Additionally, it may help you with career preparation, plans, and objectives as well as teach you how to solve problems, deal with ambiguity, work in groups, and develop confidence and proficiency. Our course requirements ensure your internship is a valuable one warranting academic credit. Our internship involves two components: 1) Real-time work at the site you have selected. 2) Course work involving reading, reflection, and cyber and in-class peer interaction around the sociology of your site.
How do you set up an internship?
Internships require that you take initiative to find a site that matches your interests. The following steps are necessary:
- You locate your internship site at least one month before fall or spring semester begins. You might visit with Dr. Kort-Butler to tailor your academic or research interests to a community agency. Or, you go directly to Career Services in the Student Union where a large directory of interhsip placements is available for you to examine and choose. You can also visit their website for basic information and listings: http://www.unl.edu/careers/seic
- After you have located your internship site and been accepted there as an intern:
- Complete a very brief orientation at Career Services.
- Complete Career Services Memorandum of Understanding with your internship site supervisor. A copy of this Memorandum goes to Career Services, Dr. Kort-Butler, and your supervisor. A link to the MOU can be found at: http://www.unl.edu/careers/careers/seic/intpplanning.shtml
- Obtain the enroll registration code from Dr. Kort-Butler and enroll in the course. At that time, Dr. Kort-Butler will also provide you with a syllabus with schedule of semester meetings, assignments, and grading scals.
What will you gain from an internship?
You will be able to apply sociological concepts, theories, and insights to this field experience in written and oral form. You will also develop your professional capital with experience, resume and/or personal statement planning, and, for some of you, a professional conference presentation.
Hours of Site Work
A worthwhile internship requires at least 10 hours weekly. For each credit hour in this class, you must work 40-50 hours. So, if you enroll for three credit hours, you should work 120-150 hours during the semester.
Course Requirements
- Complete a minimum of 40 on-site hours satisfactorily as evidenced by supervisory report.
- Coordinate internship site through Career Services and complete Memorandum of Understanding.
- Attend class meetings.
- Keep a weekly blog on our Blackboard site that details your experiences and observations for the week. Further instructions will be posted on blackboard.
- Compile a resume.
- Construct a final project. Normally this takes the form of a final paper comparing your experience to results documented in research and an in-class presentation. This may also take the form of a conference presentation (summer & fall only). Instructions will be posted on Blackboard.
- Submit a "Student Internship Evaluation" completed by you) and a "Supervisor's Internship Evaluation" (completed by your site supervisor). Both of these documents are available at http://www.unl.edu/careers/seic/intpplanning.shtml
Course Grading
You will be assessed on performance at your site and in the classroom in the following manner:
Requirements |
Points |
| Weekly Blogs (5 points each) | 75 |
| Meetings | 30 |
| Resumer | 20 |
| Final project & presentation | 50 |
| Student Internahip Evaluation | 25 |
| Supervisor's Internship Evaluation | 25 |
TOTAL |
225 |
| * An "A" = 203 points or better, plus completion of all hours | |
| * A "B" = 18 to 202 points, plus completion of all hours | |
| * a "C" = 158 to 179 points, plus completion of all hours |
Internship Policies
Professional Conduct. As an intern you represent both the Department of Sociology and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Your conduct should always be professional. Professional conduct includes abiding by all of your internship site’s rules, keeping your time commitments and appointments, conscientiously fulfilling your duties as directed by your supervisor, and maintaining your site’s confidentiality. Remember, you are building a resume and potential job recommendation during your internship. Dr. Kort-Butler will be in touch with your site supervisor at least twice during the semester. Report any concerns or problems immediately to Dr. Kort-Butler. Professional conduct also extends to this course. I expect you to attend all meetings and turn your assignments in on time. Late assignments will be not be accepted.
Your Responsibilities and Rights. Please read "Making the Most of Your Internship" which can be found at t http://www.unl.edu/careers/seic/intpplanning.shtml.
Incompletes. Incompletes are not granted for this course. Under exceptional circumstances, as described in University policy, incompletes may be arranged. If internship hours are not completed by the end of the semester and/or assignments are not completed, a final grade is submitted based on work completed to that date.
