Internships
Internships provide students with the opportunity to move
between the academic setting of the classroom and the applied
setting of an agency, organization or business. The internship
provides the student with meaningful opportunities, under the
supervision of a representative of the agency, to assist the agency
in its mission.
Internships in Sociology, Sociology/Social Work and Criminology
are designed to extend students' learning opportunities beyond the
traditional classroom setting. The primary goal is for students to
gain hands-on experience in professional work environments related
to their academic and career interests. Internships in criminal
justice, human services, businesses and community contexts also
provide students with practical experience and career and
networking opportunities. Internships are often a key step in
becoming familiar with job requirements and obtaining a job upon
graduation.
Our internship experience is structured to benefit both the
student intern as well as the sponsoring organization. The
Department of Sociology and Criminology has established the
following evaluation criteria for internship students and their
evaluators:
Breadth and Depth of the Experience
The internship needs to provide the student with a broad
overview of the organization. In addition, the student should gain
a clear understanding of what a particular bachelor degree career
field or occupation entails. The student should have the
opportunity to engage in projects and activities at a professional
level. The focus of the internship is for the student to learn
about the organization and develop new skills and knowledge.
Opportunity for Students to Apply Principles Learned in and
outside the Classroom
An internship should provide the student with hands-on
experience and a good sense of what an actual job in the
organization will be like. The relationship between the internship
experience and the knowledge and skills that the student has gained
through their major course is emphasized. The student brings a set
of skills and a knowledge base to the internship experience that
allows them to help the organization meet its goals as they engage
in various activities at the internship site. Through the
internship experience, the student also has an opportunity to
refine and further develop their skills and to deepen their
understanding of the concepts and theories they are learning in the
classroom.
Opportunity to Observe Professionals in Action
It is important that student interns be able to observe
professionals in their particular field to grasp what the
occupation will really be like. We encourage interns to participate
in staff meetings and to attend presentations and meetings
with clients when appropriate. Additionally, interns should have
the ability to talk to and interact with professionals at the
internship site bout their respective jobs and career paths.
Opportunity to Develop Specific Skills
The students should leave the internship with a new set of
skills or improvements in their current skill set. We encourage the
student to concentrate on the following areas:
- Research skills
- Writing skills
- Technical skills appropriate to the field
- Presentation skills
Unique, Substantive, and Diverse Internships
Butler students are encouraged to identify internships that are
related to their career interests and goals and to participate in
experiences that will expand their knowledge base and expose them
to diversity and new ways of thinking. Butler sociology and
criminology students have completed internships in a wide variety
of organizations, agencies, and businesses, including
- Indiana Department of Homeland Security
- Pendleton Juvenile Correctional Facility
- Marion County Prosecutor's Office
- Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic
- The Children's Bureau
- Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (various
divisions)
- Department of Child Services
- Safe Families for Children
- Exodus Refugee Immigration, Inc.
- The Julian Center
- Salvation Army
View a more
complete list of recent internship sites.
Requirements
Students in the Department of Sociology and Criminology are
required to complete either a three-credit-hour internship (SO484)
or a service-learning course. We also offer a six-credit-hour
internship (SO485) for interested students (only three credit hours
will count toward the major requirements). Students must
complete an internship that is related to their specific major
(sociology, sociology/social work or criminology) and all
internship sites must be approved by the department prior to
enrollment. Student performance is evaluated both by a faculty
member (academic requirements) and by the on-site supervisor
(internship site/job requirements).
Specific Requirements Include:
- Complete information forms and contract along with developing
specific goals and objectives prior to beginning
the internship, including all signatures. Students develop their
goals and objectives in consultation with both their on-site and
faculty supervisor.
- Complete 160 hours (or 280 for SO485) in the
field at the internship site.
- Keep a work journal of experiences and observations
while doing the internship (a sort of work ethnography)
and share biweekly with the designated faculty internship
supervisor. Ongoing reflection is required and students are
encouraged to examine their journal for common themes that emerge
and for connections to what they have learned through their major
courses.
- Attend meetings on campus with the designated
faculty internship supervisor biweekly.
- After completion of hours in field, turn in an
internship portfolio which includes: the work
journal and reflections; an evaluation of the achievement of goals
and the tasks and activities the student engaged in to meet these
goals; an overview of the internship organization and the student's
role in this organization; an academic paper in
which they utilize the academic literature and what they have
learned in their major to analyze and shed light on an issue or
experience related to their internship; an evaluation by their site
supervisor and a self-evaluation; and supporting
documents.
For more information about the specific requirements for an
internship, please pick up a copy of the internship packet from the
Sociology and Criminology Office (JH375-B) and meet with your
advisor.
How Do I Find an Internship?
Students are responsible for working, in consultation with their
advisor, on finding an appropriate internship site, applying for
the internship, and identifying a full-time faculty member to serve
as their faculty supervisor.
There are several resources available for identifying possible
internship sites:
- The department maintains a list of internship sites that are
used on a continuous basis by our majors.
- Utilize the resources maintained by Butler's office of Internships and Career
Services.
- Consider participating in Butler's Washington, D.C. Internship
Program.
- The department frequently posts and emails notifications to
students of new internship opportunities.
- Complete your own internship search for local, state, national
and international internship opportunities. Many government
agencies offer internship opportunities. Internship and Career
services can help you with your search.
Sample Search Resources