INTERNSHIPS
Becoming an Internship Site
The Gerontology Institute at Georgia State University is always interested in developing new internship opportunities for our students. The agency provides a valuable service, both to the university and Gerontology interns. Certain responsibilities are required of participating agencies, and, as a result of their participation, they may expect a valuable working contribution from interns. Agencies should be committed to providing a positive and creative learning environment for students. Please contact the Gerontology Institute Internship Coordinator, Dr. Chivon Mingo at [email protected], for more information about becoming an approved internship site.
Goals of the Gerontology Internship
- To provide students with the opportunity to observe and interact with professionals engaged in day-to-day activities in an agency working with older adults or the needs of the aging population
- To help students gain occupational skills through hands-on work experience
- To encourage students to apply gerontological knowledge to their work settings
- To improve critical thinking and writing skills
Gerontology internships are developed in accordance with the student’s level in the program, experience, areas of interest, and career goals and may take place in a wide range of professional settings. The internship may be exploratory in nature for students who are not entirely set on their professional goals. For those established in their careers or with extensive experience in the field of aging, the internship should be an exposure to new knowledge and experience and take place in a setting other than the student’s current job.
Summary of the Supervisor Responsibilities:
- Interview the students to determine whether the student’s learning objectives can be met and if the student is a good match for the agency. Students who come to sites for an interview must already be accepted into the Internship Program. We recognize that not all students are suited for all positions and agencies may chose not to host an intern for a variety of reasons. Agency contacts and student interns should touch base within ten business days of the interview, in order to confirm whether the placement is satisfactory for both parties.
- Complete with the student an Internship Plan identifying the nature of the work and including the specifics about the project the student will be doing at the site. Student interns will consult with the Internship Coordinator about goals and objectives.
- Orient them to the site and the procedures for carrying out the duties and responsibilities assigned to them.
- Supervise and mentor the student throughout the semester. Provide internship experiences and work assignments that satisfy the internship plan. Evaluate the intern's performance, oversee the hours worked by the intern, and sign time-sheets.
Provide midterm assessment of the intern. This allows both the agency and the student to assess the progress. The GSU Gerontology Internship Coordinator will meet with the intern and, if necessary, will perform a site visit to the agency.
Complete and return Agency Supervisor Evaluation form that will be delivered to you by the intern.
Internship Hours
Students in the Internship Program must enroll for at least 3 credit hours (or 14o total hours in field placement).
Students and agencies may organize the timing of internships in a way that is mutually conducive to the agency and the student, but these plans should be finalized prior to the start of the internship. The student must to complete the required hours before the end of the term.
Internship Compensation
While this is a for-credit program, students may receive monetary compensation for their time as well, providing the Internship Site can afford such an arrangement.
GSU Gerontology Institute Supervision, Coordination, and Administrative Support
Because students take internships for academic credit, they will have academic requirements for the class in addition to their field placement. The intern’s final grade will be a combination of their performance evaluation from the Agency Supervisor and their academic performance evaluated by the Internship Coordinator/Instructor. The Internship Coordinator/Instructor is the faculty contact throughout the internship semester. The Internship Coordinator/Instructor also works with the Internship Administrator to manage our list of approved internships and processing internship paperwork.
Contact Us
The Gerontology Institute
Office Hours (Available Remotely):
Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Office Hours (In Person):
Thursdays
12:30 - 4:00 p.m.
And by Appointment
Office/Delivery Address
One Park Place, Suite #605
Atlanta, GA 30303