Senior Internships

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What is a Senior Internship?

A senior internship is a challenging learning experience that will take time, work, and a high level of commitment. Careful thought needs to be given to the topic and setting. It is the same as a thesis in terms of the depth and quality of the work expected, and a comprehensive analytical paper is required.

The difference between a thesis and a senior internship is:

* The research takes place within an agency/community context;
* A substantial product is generated;
* And, in addition to a faculty sponsor, there is an off-campus professional to guide the student and give feedback.

Pick up and read the “Guidelines for the Senior Comprehensive Requirement” from the ES department office. Please note that ES 100 is a prerequisite to a senior internship.

What are the requirements?

A senior internship is open to declared majors only, and consists of the following essential elements:

The Experience:

This requires approximately 300 hours - 200 with the agency, 100 of additional research and writing. This is credited with 10 units (ES183A and ES183B) taken either concurrently or in consecutive quarters. If you plan to graduate in June, we recommend doing your coursework fall and/or winter.

Remember that two bound final copies of your thesis must be in the office eight weeks after the beginning of the quarter in which you plan to graduate. If you fail to meet this deadline, you will receive an August diploma.

The Paper/Thesis:

It is simply not enough to show up and put in time somewhere. There must be formal documentation and critical analysis of what has been learned. If the internship serves merely as a site from which to gather data, the analysis, reflection and evaluation must be done after its completion.

Your paper needs to include the following:

• A chronology of process (i.e. a history of what you did). Your journal will serve as the basis for this part of your write-up as well as for the essay.
• A significant contribution of original and professional work. If this doesn't occur within the context of the internship, original research must be done to supplement the internship.
• A reflective critical essay on the experience which puts it into an academic/professional context.
• A bibliography.

Remember: A QUARTER'S LEADTIME is necessary for setting up any senior internship project.