Careers and Internships - Department of Human Development and Family Studies (2024)

• Career Services maintains a list of your past jobs and internships.
• Career Services offers many career planning resources, including one-on-one student appointments.
• You can useCyHireto search job and internship postings from companies that contact Iowa State to recruit.
• Career fairsare held each semester.
• Additional networking opportunities are available to you throughout the year.

• You are required to initiate contact with the practicum coordinator one (1) semester before the actual internship experience.
• You will be responsible for completing, signing, and submitting the HDFS 491 Internship Learning Agreement to the practicum coordinator no later than the first week of the internship. The completed agreement will include complete contact information for both you and the site supervisor.
• You will prepare goals defining expectations of accomplishment during the internship based on your interpretation of the proposed internship in the given setting. The goals will be as specific as possible and prepared in the accepted format. An example is available from the practicum coordinator.
• The goals will be discussed with the internship site supervisor before the start of the internship. The goals will be submitted to the university practicum coordinator after discussion with the internship site supervisor, no later than the first day of the semester in which the internship starts.
• You will provide the internship site and the practicum coordinator with a 1-2 page resume of educational background and previous work experience.
• You will have an agreement with the internship site concerning a specific work schedule (e.g., number of hours per week). Only under unusual circ*mstances, should you expect and ask for time off. You must complete 320 hours (8 credits) or 360 hours (9 credits) of work during the internship.
• The internship site will spend a considerable amount of time in training and supervising your activities, therefore, you will be expected to conduct yourself professionally at all times.
• You are representing the Department of Human Development and Family Studies, the College of Human Sciences, and Iowa State University at all times. A maximum effort is expected.
• If you fail to meet the reasonable expectations of the department and/or the internship site, the internship will be terminated immediately. Credit will not be given for time spent at the internship. You will be responsible for making arrangements to find another internship by working with the practicum coordinator and exploring other available options.
• You will participate in on-line discussion group activities. Written assignments are critical to the internship experience. The requirements for all the written assignments will be discussed in HDFS 418B. The assignments will be due to the practicum coordinatorevery weekduring your internship experience and are expected to reflect careful consideration by you.

• Be approved by HDFS Practicum Coordinator
• Be professionally recognized and competent in the delivery of programs and/or services within the Human Development and Family Studies.
• Be a new work setting and/or experience with substantially different job responsibilities than previous and/or current employment.
• Reflect the program option as indicated on the degree audit
• Provide a qualified (e.g., education, experience, and/or certification) Intern supervisor.
• Provide supervision and mentorship contributing to professional development.
• Provide opportunities to observe and participate in all aspects of program/service delivery.
• Participate in the Intern evaluation process.
• Provide internship duties and responsibilities that include the delivery of services to clients.
• Provide resources necessary to support the intern in the satisfactory completion of his or her goals and objectives, and the completion of assigned duties/tasks (e.g., equipment, materials, workspace).

• Internship site personnel will meet with you to evaluate the feasibility of an internship placement. Specific indications of the involvement expected of you will be provided by the personnel from the site. The internship site personnel will develop an agenda and a timeline with your input. The internship site personnel prior to the start of the practicum will cooperatively evaluate your written goals. The HDFS 491 Internship Learning Agreement will be completed by you and the site supervisor.

• Internship site personnel will provide daily supervision of your activities to evaluate progress. Internship site personnel will have free and open access to the department practicum coordinator whenever desired.
• Internship site personnel will provide working space for you.
• Internship site personnel will discuss with you the available resources, including resource limitations (e.g., use of phones, office supplies, administrative assistance).

• Upon completion of the internship experience, internship site personnel will provide a written evaluation of your performance.

• The practicum coordinator will assist you in finding an internship placement as necessary.
• During the internship-planning phase and the experience itself, the practicum coordinator will work with you to achieve a beneficial and rewarding internship experience.
• The practicum coordinator will communicate in writing with the internship site personnel during your internship experience.
• The practicum coordinator will evaluate your written assignments and maintain communication with you as needed.
• The practicum coordinator will establish and maintain a continuing record of your work experience during the internship. A separate record of the internship site (excluding personal data from specific students) will be maintained to establish a file for future internships.

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