The Internship Site:
The first step in selecting the internship is to find an internship site. It is the responsibility of the student to locate and secure the site. The reason for this is that it increases the student's awareness of both the industry and the needs of a particular site. A proper internship site is one that meets the following standards:
- The site allows the student to focus on an aspect of the investigative process. This does not mean that the site must be a government investigative agency. While law enforcement agencies tend to be the primary target for internships they are not the only source. The site may be private, industrial, or even non-profit.
- The site must provide appropriate level of supervision. This means that while on site the student will be subject to the rules, regulations, and practices of that site or its sponsor.
- There must be opportunity for active participation. Many undergraduate internships require that the student merely be present and able to observe activity at a given site. The major distinction of the graduate internship is that it requires the student to participate in the various jobs or tasks available. It is important to note that this does not mean the student will actively conduct a criminal investigation. In fact, many investigative duties for some law enforcement agencies can not be performed legally by a student. Active participation means that the student has a chance to observe when appropriate but also to perform related tasks that enhance the learning opportunity. When identifying the internship site the student should strongly consider the different types of participation that may be available and structure the learning outcomes so that they meet the available of that participation.
Duties and Job Performance
Each internship will have specific duties and job performance that must be met. The student should identify those duties and include a full description in their internship application. Duties should focus on the learning expectations. Tasks such as filing, answering telephones, and other routine matters may be an important part of the overall job function, but they should not be the primary source of learning for the internship. It is the job of the student to discuss the duties with the internship site supervisor to insure that each has a full understanding of what is expected. Students are expected to seek out learning opportunities in all aspects the job at any internship site.
Learning Outcomes and Measurement
Learning Outcomes are statements of the knowledge, skills, and abilities the individual student possesses and can demonstrate upon completion of a learning experience or sequence of learning experiences (e.g., course, program, degree). In the case of an internship it is the student's responsibility to identify those outcomes for the particular internship site. In most instances the learning outcomes will include some or all of the following:
1. Core Competencies
- Define core skills related to the job task or assignments. For each task the student is expected to perform during the internship there will be a set of core skills related to that task.
- Provide for evolution of core skills to allow for change.
- Identify capabilities and attributes needed to meet current and future investigative needs.
- Focus student development efforts to eliminate the gap between capabilities needed and those available.
2. Research
- Review literature to identify appropriate methods or techniques to be employed.
- Compare and contrast site methods with those identified by research or study.
- Interview or survey others to gain additional knowledge related to the subject area.
3. Determine expectations of key external constituencies, including
- Industry standards and practices
- Legal standards
- External accrediting bodies
- Identify other sources
4. Determine expectations of key internal groups/partners, including
- Supervisory personnel
- Institution policy or procedure
- Institution mission or values
- Faculty
Measurement of student performance is defined first by the student. In most instances each job or task to be performed during the internship will have a set of standards already attached. The student should first determine what those standards are. You should use the competencies and related materials set out above to help guide you in this undertaking.
Measurement of job performance will also come from the site supervisor and those who the student has contact with during the internship. The student should identify these potential sources in the internship application as well as the ongoing reports.
Final measurement will be made by appropriate faculty based in part on the standards set by the student and on the accepted practices for the given site.