Student Satisfaction With an Innovative Internship

Abstract

This article describes an internship program designed specifically to meet graduate students’ training needs within the context of their work in a prevention program for children in foster care. An internship based on a strong model of intern recruitment and supervision, structured inclusion of interns in a supportive agency culture, a manualized orientation, and an ongoing didactic program was hypothesized to result in a positive experience for interns. Results of anonymous surveys administered to 102 interns over a 9-year period assessing their internship experience are presented and discussed. Recommendations are made for development of internship training sites.

Notes

¹ It should be mentioned that the survey changed from a 3-point to a 5-point scale at the same time that the credit increase occurred. After the scale change, no student checked the “too many” hours rating that had been checked with some frequency in the past.

Additional information

Funding

This project was principally supported by grants from the National Institute of Mental Health (K01 MH01972, R21 MH067618, and R01 MH076919, H. Taussig, PI) and also received substantial funding from the Kempe Foundation, Pioneer Fund, Daniels Fund, and Children’s Hospital Research Institute. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not represent the official views of the National Institute of Mental Health or the National Institutes of Health.

Notes on contributors

Ann Petrila

Ann Petrila is professor and assistant dean for field education at the University of Denver.

Orah Fireman

Orah Fireman is clinical supervisor and Robyn Wertheimer Hodas is clinical supervisor at the University of Colorado.

Leslie Schnoll Fitzpatrick

Leslie Schnoll Fitzpatrick is clinical supervisor at the University of Maryland.

Robyn Wertheimer Hodas

Orah Fireman is clinical supervisor and Robyn Wertheimer Hodas is clinical supervisor at the University of Colorado.

Heather N. Taussig

Heather N. Taussig is professor and associate dean for research at the University of Denver and adjunct professor at the University of Colorado.