Renaissance College University of New Brunswick
RCLP 2023 Canadian Internship Program
Information Package 2011-2012
University of New Brunswick Renaissance
College
RCLP 2023 Canadian Internship Program: Information Package 2011-2012
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University of New Brunswick Renaissance
College
Renaissance College Canadian Internship Program The Canadian Internship Program (RCLP 2023) is an essential component of the Bachelor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Leadership Studies offered at the University of New Brunswick by Renaissance College (RC). The internship offers Renaissance College students a learning opportunity outside the traditional classroom. It is a full-time work placement of ten to sixteen weeks in an organization located in Canada. The placement provides the student-intern with an opportunity to relate theory to practice by applying his/her knowledge and skills in a work environment with guidance from a mentor.
Benefits of the Internship Program The internship program presents benefits for both the organization and the intern.
Benefits for the organization The internship program, will give the organization access to
High achieving university students who have been pre-selected by Renaissance College based on their academic excellence, personal strengths and creativity; Motivated and talented young individuals eager to meet new educational and work challenges, accountable not only to you but also to RC for their work.
A typical Renaissance College student has some, or all, of the following characteristics:
Equally proficient in sciences and humanities Involved in diverse extra-curricular activities (sports, arts, etc) Committed to make the world a better place Involved in volunteerism/social action at the community level
RCLP 2023 Canadian Internship Program: Information Package 2011-2012
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University of New Brunswick Renaissance
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Benefits for the intern The internship is an opportunity for the intern to
Observe leadership in action by working closely with a mentor who has demonstrated leadership skills and is in a leadership position; Develop leadership skills by undertaking projects or tasks within his/her capability; Learn about themselves in various work situations and roles in the organization through continuous reflection on their learning experience; Test their interest and aptitude for a particular career.
Conditions for a Meaningful Internship Experience In order to provide a meaningful experience to the intern while providing the organisation with high-quality work, the internship requires
A mentor that is prepared to dedicate time on a regular basis to facilitate the professional growth of the intern; Specific opportunities for the intern to take a leading role in projects within his/her capability; An evaluation process that will provide feedback throughout the internship; Work of real value to the organization; Opportunities for networking and professional development.
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University of New Brunswick Renaissance
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Teaching-Learning Approach for the Internship The internship provides the intern with an opportunity to learn from a mentor who acts as a role model and a guide. To help make this experience meaningful, Renaissance College fosters a teaching-learning philosophy focussing on respect, collaboration, shared decisionmaking, and support during the learning process. Effective learning in a field-based experience is facilitated when
Meaningful information is given and grounded in experience; Sufficient time is provided to allow for the understanding, practical integration, and evaluation of basic concepts; Sufficient repetition is provided to allow the intern to learn from experience avoiding excessive repetition that often creates a lack of motivation; Gradual self-direction and independence are encouraged in order to build the intern’s confidence and competence; Reflective thinking is encouraged in order to strengthen the intern’s ability to transfer concepts from one situation to another.
Effective learning during the internship also requires good communication, and constructive feedback and evaluation. This is made possible when the following are in place:
Communications are open, direct, consistent, sensitive, and create non-threatening educational/working situations; Feedback is constructive, focuses on specific concerns and behaviours, and is given shortly after an event to foster continuous growth in a gradual and reasonable manner; Strengths as well as specific areas of improvement are identified when evaluating the intern’s performance.
RCLP 2023 Canadian Internship Program: Information Package 2011-2012
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University of New Brunswick Renaissance
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Legal and Educational Responsibilities The University’s responsibility UNB’s Renaissance College offers RCLP 2023 as a field-based course for students to learn leadership in a practical setting. The ultimate accountability for this educational experience rests with the university and Renaissance College. RC is responsible for preparing students for the practicum, coordinating the internships, evaluating and grading the students’ performance, supplying clear guidelines for the experience and for offering opportunities for students to meet the required academic standards.
The Organization’s responsibility The organization is responsible for providing relevant learning opportunities for the intern and a mentor to provide guidance. The mentor is responsible for collaborating with the intern and RC on formal evaluations related to the internship experience.
The Intern’s responsibility The intern is responsible for meeting the standards set in collaboration with the mentor and achieving RC academic standards. It is the intern’s responsibility to seek appropriate guidance from the mentor and the Experiential Education Coordinator. The internship is officially recognized by RC after the signature of a memorandum of Agreement by both the organisation and RC (the memorandum needs to be signed before the commencement of the internship).
RCLP 2023 Canadian Internship Program: Information Package 2011-2012
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University of New Brunswick Renaissance
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Mentor Roles and Responsibilities Before the internship
Review the student’s cover letter and resume, interview the student and agree to mentor the intern for a minimum of 10 weeks; Review the internship information package and direct any questions to Renaissance College’s Experiential Education Coordinator; Communicate with the intern to discuss goals, duties, and schedule for the internship and to sign the memorandum of agreement.
During the internship
Discuss specific internship goals with the intern during the first week of the internship; Collaboratively plan increasingly complex tasks to facilitate the intern’s professional growth in leadership and in the field-based practice; Act as a liaison person within the organization to facilitate the intern’s orientation to the organization’s practices, processes and policies; Facilitate the intern’s socialization within the organization; Encourage the intern to engage in reflective inquiry through regular discussions; Provide the intern with ongoing constructive feedback (written or verbal); Evaluate the intern’s progress by filling out and discussing with the intern the midterm and end of internship evaluations.
After the internship
If possible, attend the student internship presentation session at Renaissance College.
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University of New Brunswick Renaissance
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Intern Roles and Responsibilities Before the internship
Attend all RC internship orientation and workshop sessions; Meet individually with the Experiential Education Coordinator to identify his/her interests and goals for the internship; Undertake an application process including the preparation of cover letters and resumes as well as interviews set by potential mentors; Communicate with his/her potential mentor to discuss goals, duties, and schedule for the internship and to sign the memorandum of agreement.
During the internship
Set specific internship goals in collaboration with his/her mentor during the first week of the internship and send them for approval to the Experiential Education Coordinator; Participate in the organisation’s orientation to its practices, processes, policies, and confidentiality guidelines; Carry out internship duties as planned with the mentor; Reflect on his/her learning needs as they arise, discuss them with the mentor and engage in professional development activities as needed; Constructively seek and receive feedback from the mentor or his/her peers and use this to improve his/her practice; Complete and submit all academic work related to the internship on time; Consult with the Experiential Education Coordinator on academic or work related issues arising during the internship; Ensure that the mid-term and end-of-internship evaluations are completed and sent on time to the Experiential Education Coordinator.
After the internship
Complete the final assignment and submit on time to the Experiential Education Coordinator; Give a presentation of the internship experience to RC students, faculty and mentor.
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University of New Brunswick Renaissance
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Experiential Education Coordinator Roles and Responsibilities Before the internship
Guide the intern in identifying his/her goals and objectives for the internship; Provide the intern with support in his/her search for an internship placement; Provide potential mentors with information about the internship; Approve the internship placement – organization, mentor, activities, dates; Organize pre-internship preparation sessions for the intern; Provide support and guidance to the mentor regarding his/her role.
During the internship
Assist the intern and the mentor in planning the internship goals at the beginning of the internship; Grade the intern’s assignments and provide feedback to the intern on his/her progress; Provide guidance to the intern and the mentor in completing the evaluation at midterm and at the end of the internship.
After the internship
Evaluate the intern’s final assignment; Organize the oral presentation session held at the beginning of the fall semester; Follow up with the mentor to evaluate the internship; Assign a final grade for the internship course.
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University of New Brunswick Renaissance
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Evaluation Process The internship is centred on the achievements of specific and measurable goals set up at the beginning of the internship by the student and his/her mentor. The goals should be consistent with the intern and the organization’s needs, the opportunities afforded by the specific internship, and the RC learning outcomes. Following approval of the goals by the Experiential Education Coordinator, the intern and the mentor will assess the degree to which the intern has met the goals established at the outset. While the evaluation process on an informal and individual basis is ongoing, the intern and the mentor will be asked to hold two formal sessions to record the intern’s progress and brief the Experiential Education Coordinator. Formal evaluations are normally conducted at both mid-term and at the end of term. They take place in person, by phone, or by another means to best suit the individuals involved and at a mutually convenient time. The midterm evaluation offers an opportunity to discuss the learning experience in the field and make changes as needed to optimise the educational opportunity for the intern and the benefit for the organization. The final session provides feedback that will be helpful in preparing the intern’s final report and assigning a grade for the course. Evaluation forms will be provided by RC. The Experiential Education Coordinator is available to both mentor and intern during the internship for consultation/support regarding issues arising from the internship.
RCLP 2023 Canadian Internship Program: Information Package 2011-2012
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University of New Brunswick Renaissance
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University of New Brunswick Renaissance College RCLP 2023 Canadian Internship Program Initial Request for Canadian Internship Directions:
Complete and return to Nadya Ladouceur, Experiential Education Coordinator. Fax: 506-447-3224 or email nladouce@unb.ca
Date of Submission: Organisation Name: Address:
Phone Number:
Fax Number:
E-mail: Mentor Name: Position: Phone Number:
E-mail:
Relevant Educational Background and Experience of Mentor:
Internship Position Title of the Internship Position: General Description of the Internship Position:
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University of New Brunswick Renaissance
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Specific Learning Opportunities: Using point form, please list the learning opportunities that will be available for the intern. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Sample Responsibilities/Tasks: Please provide examples of the responsibilities/tasks/projects that the intern might be expected to assume. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Qualifications/Experience Required:
Internship Period: Internship Schedule (Days and Times): Internship Site (if different from Organisation's address):
************************************************************************* FOR FACULTY USE ONLY: Position Approved: ____________________________________ Date: ____________________ Experiential Education Coordinator's Signature
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University of New Brunswick Renaissance
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University of New Brunswick Renaissance College RCLP 2023 Canadian Internship Program Memorandum of Agreement This is to confirm that we, ___________________________________________________, (Mentor Organisation)
accept the Renaissance College student _________________________________ as a ) (Intern’s name)
student intern with our organization for a _______ week term for field-based education. We understand the roles and responsibilities identified in the Renaissance College 2023 Canadian Internship Program Information Package, and agree to fulfil the requirements expected.
As the Mentor Organisation, our remuneration arrangement for the student intern is according to the following methods: ___
Place the student on the payroll and pay regularly (salary or stipend) over ____ weeks.
___
Donate $3,800 to the University of New Brunswick to be, in turn, given to the student intern in the form of a bursary. For this option please contact Renaissance College Experiential Education Coordinator.
___
No funding available for student intern.
___
Other (please specify) _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________
* In cases where the intern is given a bursary by Renaissance College, the following applies: The University of New Brunswick agrees to indemnify and save harmless the Organisation from any or all claims, suits, actions, or loss or damage of any nature whatsoever arising from actions of a student or faculty member instructing the students. Further, the University will maintain general liability and malpractice insurance covering the actions of itself, its faculty members and students in an amount of at least $1,000,000 and will provide evidence of that insurance. This Agreement shall remain in effect and binding until such time as one of the parties notifies the other party in writing, of their intent to cancel said agreement in 30 working days from date of notification. The Agreement shall be reviewed jointly by parties annually and changes deemed necessary shall be made via written amendment to the Agreement, signed by all parties.
Organisation Signing Officer __________________________________Date ___________ Dean, Renaissance College __________________________________ Date ___________ Experiential Education Coordinator ___________________________ Date ___________
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