I would also like to add to the internship/service-learning discussion.
The National Youth Leadership Council employs several work-study or
academic credit interns every year. Job responsibilities range from
coordinating a metro youth-as-trainers initiative to serving as a program
assistant to working with a team of other interns to implement a national
demonstration school project to coordinating pieces of our camp.
The amount of requests from students to intern with us has increased
substantially over the last year and a half. Although most of these
students do request financial assistance (ie: work-study), they also
realize that working with our nonprofit organization is first and foremost
a learning opportunity. Therefore all interns that work within the youth
department are required to develop a portfolio of best works as an
evaluation and reflection too.
I believe that as a field, we must value the work and dedication of these
interns. But if we expect our ideology to mesh with our pedagogy we must
employ service-learning in all aspects of our work- not just the "clients"
that we serve. Implementing service-learning within organizations will
increase the quality of practice and understanding among all.
PS- If you'd like a copy of our summer internship announcement, please
email or call me and I will send you the posting.
Joy DesMarais
Coordinator of Strategic Youth Initiatives
jedesmarais@stkate.edu
National Youth Leadership Council www.nylc.org'
1910 W. County Rd. B 612-631-3672 x232
St. Paul, MN 55113 612-631-2955 fax