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Career Exploration Project
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Internship Information in the Criminology Field
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I am writing a "Career Exploration Project" paper to illustrate the many opportunities available in the field of Criminology. It is important for all fields of study, including criminology majors, to experience the actual working environment of their field of interest before graduating college. In this country there are numerous opportunities for this type of "life-experience"; undergraduate internships are available in a variety of forms and degrees.
Every University has some sort of internship program available to its students. The Criminology Department at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), where I am currently attending school, offers a variety of internships in many different fields such as: law enforcement, courts, and corrections. There are several requirements a student must fulfill in order to be accepted into any internship program.
At Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a student must be in good academic standing, they must have completed a minimum of fifty-seven credits, including at least eighteen credits in criminology courses, and must pass a screening interview. Internships are administered by Indiana University of Pennsylvania and are closely watched by assigned faculty members. A student's performance will be evaluated during the program and faculty members are assigned to each student as to assist with, coordinate, and evaluate the program and agency involved.
At the conclusion of most internship programs a student is graded according to a variety of aspects concerning their performance. The student's evaluation includes not only their daily activities but also the agencies review of the students performance, the student's successful completion of papers, logs, and journals, along with the faculty members evaluation of the students achievements in the program.
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There are many organizations and institutions that offer internships. Some students find comfort in taking part in these programs, while others find their own. I have found a lot of possibilities while researching for this paper and have decided to pick three of them as examples of programs that have been established for undergraduate internships. These programs are not only well organized and structured in what they teach, but are well known and assist thousands of students across the country each year in meeting their internship requirements, set by the University or College they attend, and their own personal goals for success.
The first is known as The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) College Intern Program. This organization supplies basic and advanced training to officers and special agents with more than seventy participating Federal law enforcement agencies. The agencies involved in the internship program include the Executive Branch such as commerce and justice, the Legislative Branch including Congress, the Judicial Branch including the Supreme Court, and the Statutory Inspector General Officer Branch such as the department of defense, department of justice, and the department of treasury.
The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center offers internship students the opportunity for hands-on experience in the work environment while experiencing Federal enforcement training. The student is also required to devote his or her time to various classes and activities at one of FLETC's various training programs. These opportunities are available for majors in a variety of fields, especially criminology and criminal justice majors with an interest in law enforcement.
Another interesting internship is utilized by the Washington Intern Foundation and the Washington Center. These institutions make it possible for students to take advantage of a program which promotes future leadership. Students that are chosen to take part in this internship program have the chance to experience and explore various career paths. With the knowledge acquired from an internship, students open themselves up to new opportunities and possibilities in their major field of study.
When I was a senior in high school, I had the chance to work with the District Justice of Center County, Pa., Dan Hoffman. Through this internship I not only met a lot of people with whom I have remained in contact, I have also learned a variety of pathways to explore in my major, criminology. I spoke with Dan Hoffman recently and we discussed the requirements for an internship in his office. I decided to do some research and found out that there is a lot of work involved in getting an internship.
Many organizations, including the District Justice Hoffman's Office, require that you complete an intern application within their organization, submit official college transcripts, and have an appropriate college official complete an intern nomination form. Accepting applicants is usually competitive and the organization may look for such things as community participation, work experiences, and grade point averages.
However, some institutions and organizations require a more intense application process. An example of this is, the Washington Intern Foundation. To apply for this particular internship you must purchase a book written by the Washington Intern Foundation entitled, "Getting a Congressional Internship." This book explains the step by step application process, describing and helping a student who is looking to submit an actual application. In addition you must also include a cover letter, resume, letters of recommendation, and writing samples. From my research it is obvious that certain organizations have a harder application process than others. Students should keep in mind the degree of difficulty when presented with difficult application processes such as the screening process. This is a sure reflection upon their working environment; meaning the company would expect 110% from its interns.
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There are many benefits involved in getting an undergraduate internship. Not only does it explore various career pathways to aid in the picking of a student, graduate schooling, or jobs, it also gives a student hands on experience in their field of interest. The student gains actual working experience in a controlled environment, and places that "first foot" into the workings of the criminal justice system. By getting involved with an internship program one is likely to gain job references, and are able to build potential employer contacts.
Internships can also build students self confidence. Students often become more aware of job possibilities and are more comfortable when they begin their search in the job market upon graduation. Internships also help those who are unsure of what they want to do clarify their own personal career goals. It is also important to note that internships allow an individual to gain "people skills" to allow them to communicate with others.
My senior year in high school when I picked the major Criminology for my studies at Indiana University of Pennsylvania I became nervous, thinking that maybe it was not the path I truly wanted to be on. It was only because of my high school internship for 18 weeks that I learned a lot about the field and was able to feel comfortable with my decision.
Now that I am in college I am able to see an even wider variety of opportunities available to me in this field and can't wait until I am once again able to participate in an internship. Partaking in an internship allows a student a glimpse into the job world, letting them see the ways their major can be used in the ever- changing job market.
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