Academics

Internship Seminar

The optional Internship Seminar is an interactive seminar that will enhance the student's experience in DC and provide professional skills necessary to succeed in the workplace. Although students have the choice to opt out of this course, most students consider it one of the most valuable and rewarding aspects of the Institute.

Students meet to plan a group presentation.

During the seminar students will examine the practical side of the nonprofit sector. Students will integrate examples from their internships, site briefings, guest lectures and the Institute Philanthropy Project into the seminar. The course will look at current issues affecting professionals working in the field such as fundraising trends and effective volunteer management.

All students will be provided with an internship, even if they do not register for the seminar.

In addition to class time, students will participate in required co-curricular activities that will allow them to learn more about networking and being a professional in Washington, DC. These activities include:

• Service – Students will participate in a service project to learn more about the pressing community needs of an urban area such as homelessness, hunger, environmental issues, domestic violence and youth education.
  
• Professional Development Seminars – The Professional Development Seminars are designed to give students hands-on training and tips in a number of professional education areas. Session topics include job searching, networking, interview preparations, financial planning, resumes and cover letters. Though open to all students, attending these sessions is a requirement of students taking the Internship Seminar.

"The Internship Seminar was a very useful, hands-on course that enriched the practical aspect of my experience this summer. I'm really glad I took this course as I will take so much from it moving forward in my career."
Dany Diaz Mejia
John Carroll University
Intern, Latin American Youth Center

Professor Mullins gives Internship Seminar students valuable professional development and networking tips.

OBTAINING CREDIT FOR THE INTERNSHIP

This course will be listed as an internship seminar on the student’s Georgetown University transcript. It is a graded course that incorporates required readings, written assignments and tests. Students who satisfy all program requirements will receive 3 hours of course credit as well as special recognition at graduation.

It is the student’s responsibility to check with their home university regarding their specific policy for transferring credit and recieving credit for their internship hours.

ENROLLMENT

Because the Internship Seminar is optional, accepted students must indicate whether they would like to participate in the course on their online enrollment form in the Apply Yourself system. Selecting the 9 credit option enrolls the student in the Internship Seminar in addition to the other two required courses.

*Please note that the add/drop deadline for the Internship Seminar course is April 1, 2012.

If you are unsure if this class is right for you please contact the Institute staff to discuss how you may personally benefit from the seminar. All institute staff members may be reached at 202.986.0384.