Orientation to Internship

Catalog description

Plan and prepare for internship in Recreation Services. Analyze career opportunities, internship process, and associated requirements. For RPTM majors only. RPTM 394 Orientation to Internship (1) The primary objective of this course is to assist students with planning and preparing for their professional Practicum experience. The supporting objectives are: to provide awareness of the role and significance of the Practicum experience, including its relationship with professional practice; assist students in their understanding of the placement process, including prerequisites for placement; provide students with a working knowledge of their requirements while on Practicum, including contractual arrangements, on-site professional conduct, written assignments, evaluation procedures and evaluation criteria; and to provide the students with knowledge of post-practicum concerns, including resources for professional employment and professional certifications.Main topics typically include: � Introduction to the practicum experience and pre-requisite requirements � Personal and professional needs assessments and the importance of determining deficit skill and competency areas as related to the student's intended career. � Development of career and practicum goals and their relative importance to practicum site research and selection. � Preparation of a professional cover letter and resume. � Searching for and selecting possible practicum sites � Professional approaches to contacting, communicating and following-up with prospective practicum agencies. � Interviewing skills, including various interview formats, commonly asked questions, appropriate body language, and professionalism. � Practicum requirements, including assignments, communication with the university and agency supervisor, and academic and performance evaluation. � Post-practicum concerns, including graduation, employment, and professional certifications.This course is required of RPTM majors (except Golf Management Option), and is usually taken two semesters prior to the semester that a student plans to participate in RPTM 495A (Internship in Recreation Services). The course is not open to students from other majors.Students are evaluated by performance on written assignments and quizzes.This course is offered both spring and fall semesters with typical enrollments of 70-90 in the fall and 50-70 in the spring.