Internship Process Timeline
Before the Internship
Step 1: Make Sure You Qualify
Not every student can take an internship for credit. You must have completed 60 semester hours by the time the internship starts. In addition, each internship has prerequisite courses that you must have taken before going on the internship.
Step 2: Find an Internship
There are lots of ways to find a place to serve. The CSI Bulletin Board in the Mabee Student Center lists opportunities, as does the open ministry page at www.OCC.edu. The CSI center will have additional information on the internships listed, and application forms should the host church require one. The different ministry departments (missions, music, deaf, etc.) at OCC may be able to help you as well.
Step 3: Get the Internship Approved
Not every internship is automatically approved to take as an academic course, even those listed by the CSI Center. Check with the Director of Internships before accepting an internship to make sure that you will be able to take it for credit.
Step 4: Pre-enroll for the Internship Course
If you are going on a summer internship, you must pre-enroll for it during the Spring semester. You will pre-enroll for the internship as if it were a Fall semester class, which is when you will receive the credit for it. You would pre-enroll for a semester-long internship like any other class.
Step 5: Get to know Google Docs
All work will be done through Google docs. These documents are sent straight to the emails of the intern and mentor. There will also be a Personal Google doc that can be used to check due dates, what is/is not done, etc.
During an Internship
Here is an overview of key items that take place during an Internship:
1. Mentors and interns meet weekly for intentional mentoring session.
2. Interns fulfill duties of their Serving and Learning Covenant.
3. Interns work on assignments throughout the internship as assigned in their specific course syllabus for mid-term or final grades (book reports, journaling, preaching, teaching, directing, daily planning logs, etc.).
4. Mentors, interns, faculty supervisors, and Internship Director communicate as needed via phone, e-mail, or Google docs.
5. Mentors complete evaluations through Google docs.
6. Interns complete reflections on their experience through the Moodle course management system
After an Internship
Reviewing and reflecting on experiences often brings valuable closure to a formative experience like an internship.
Here is what ought to take place upon the completion of the internship:
1. Intern debriefs with site mentor.
2. Intern returns to school or enters full-time ministry having completed the internship.
3. Mentor complete final evaluations.
4. Intern completes final reflection essay.
5. If returning to school, interns debrief in group settings with other interns to reflect upon their experiences and give suggestions to improve the internship program.
6. Intern debriefs with the faculty supervisor.
7. All assignments are completed by the intern as outlined in the course syllabus and final grades are given.
