As you know, the faculty and staff are the voice of the University with the ability to strengthen established programs. As a member of the University community, you can: Facilitate the addition of a program or the strengthening thereof Encourage students to participate in internships Keep solid ties with your alumni Petition your department's chair, and Volunteer to help your department's academic internship coordinator.
To Garner Faculty Involvement...
Post internship success stories on a faculty information board or through emails. Offer an internship presentation at faculty meetings that includes success stories and well-researched statistics about the benefits of internships. Locate studies that have been conducted on internship involvement in other universities that offer programs similar to yours. Find the stance of professional organizations within your department's discipline(s) on internships and inform faculty thereof. Develop a department internship website with specific information on how internships benefit faculty members and how your office is encouraging participation among students. Issue department e-mails each semester (or as often as appropriate) encouraging internship involvement. Offer class presentations on internships as a service to faculty. Act as an ambassador for internships within your department. Recruit faculty as academic or internship advisors. Develop a top-down strategy with your chair and faculty group leaders then work with faculty to implement the chair's and group leaders' decisions. Maintain a list of department-specific internship opportunities. Position yourself as a resource to your faculty.
Adapted from Brigham Young University’s Encourage Internship Involvement.
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