Branching Out: How graduate students can be an asset for your department
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BRANCHING OUT Dr. Mary Beth Mercatoris Craig Gilden Evelyn Meisell How Graduate Students can be an Asset for your Department February 17, 2011 APSA/ACA Professional Development Day
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Presented by Craig Gilden, Mary Beth Mercatoris, and Evelyn Meisell at the ACA & APSA Professional Development Day conference on 2/17/11. Details how interns will benefit your department and the specifics of developing a mutually beneficial working relationship with an intern and the Higher Education Administration program. See "Branching Out Handouts" as an additional resource.
Transcript of Branching Out: How graduate students can be an asset for your department
BRANCHING OUT
Dr. Mary Beth Mercatoris
Craig Gilden
Evelyn Meisell
How Graduate Students can be an Asset for your Department
February 17, 2011
APSA/ACA Professional Development Day
Presenters
Mary Beth Mercatoris, Ph.D. Assistant Dean of Students and Director of
Student Activities
Craig Gilden & Evelyn Meisell Master’s Candidates in the College and
University Student Personnel Program Co-Chairs of the Higher Education
Administration Student Professional Association (HEASPA)
Goal of Presentation
Increase partnerships between Higher Education Administration Master’s Program and on-campus departments
Internship Requirements
Survey Results
Personal Experiences
Administrator Experiences
What is HEASPA?
HEASPA is the student organization representing the Higher Education Administration Master’s and Doctoral students
http://blogs.utexas.edu/heaspa
Master’s Internship Requirement
INTERNSHIP CONTRACT
DEPARTMENT APPROVAL
BEGIN INTERNSHIP
COMPLETE INTERNSHIP (120 HOURS)
DEPARTMENT REVIEW
Survey Description
10 Question Anonymous Survey
Sent to 75 People
34 Alumni41 Current Students
31 Responses
17 Alumni14 Current Students
Internship ExperiencesAdvice for Departments
Selection FactorsDemographics
1: Factors for Selecting Site
Location/Campus Staff/Supervisor New Area of Higher Education Gain Understanding of an Office Ability to Contribute to Department
“I used the internship to diversify my resume as much as possible to make finding a full-time job easier.”
2. Meaningful Experiences
YOU (Supervisors & Co-Workers) Ownership over a Challenging Project Valued as a Staff Member Asked for My Opinion Ability to work with Students
“The time that my supervisor spent talking with me was very meaningful. She took the time to learn about me, my aspirations and my thoughts on how to improve some of her programs.”
3. Frustrating Experiences
Lack of Structure in Internship Little Direction from Supervisor Not Included in Department No Feedback Given Few Student Interactions
“My supervisor treated me like I had little experience to back up my ideas…. It felt a little like I was simply a temporary worker, and not much was expected of me.”
4. Suggestions for Supervisors Make Intern feel Included in Department Give Intern Responsibility Provide Clear Expectations Include Weekly One-on-One Meetings Provide Helpful Feedback
“Clearly define the learning objectives for the intern. Work with the intern to decide on appropriate projects that will help their learning and enhance the office objectives. Include interns in regular staff meetings so they can understand the bigger picture of the office’s purpose.”
Internships from a Departmental Prospective
Why Did We Create Internships? Expose EDA students to Student Activities
Provide supervision experience to professionals
Great way for a unit to work on special projects
Great way for an intern to provide a fresh perspective
Internships from a Departmental Prospective
Items to Consider: Create a Job Description Create a Win-Win Environment Provide Structure Have Interns Work with Students Invite Interns to Meetings, Events & Trainings Involve Interns in Work Decisions Give Interns a Project to Own, If Possible Perform a Mid-Semester Evaluation Perform an Exit Interview
One by Supervisor, One by Supervisor’s Supervisor Post Internship Again Before Semester Ends
Ways to Be Involved
Meet with HEASPA Representatives about your Interests
Serve as a Mentor for a Master’s Student Offer an Internship
Google Document HEASPA List-Serv
“Higher Education students have a passion for student affairs, and because of this unique, applicable interest, they will be committed and thorough in their work. It is beneficial to your office to give them extended projects and varied assignments. ”
Thank You!
Dr. Mary Beth Mercatoris [email protected]
Craig Gilden [email protected]
Evelyn Meisell [email protected]
http://blogs.utexas.edu/heaspa
