Internship Program

As a type of Individual Service, Engage Dallas partners with the Hegi Family Career Development Center to offer internships with the initiative's Community Partners. This semi-structured program develops student career readiness gained via experiences offered through community partners affiliated with Engage Dallas.

 

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In order to understand the program, we provide details on the (a) history of the Engage Dallas Internship Program, (b) intern eligibility, (c) key component, and (d) how to apply.

In the summer of 2020, as a part of the University’s response to the 51²è¹Ý Black Unity Forum Action Plan, the Hegi Family Career Development Center introduced the 51²è¹Ý Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Internship Program. Designed for students with diverse identities and backgrounds, this program allows employers to submit internship position applications which Hegi staff will work to recruit applicants through various affinity groups on campus and coordinate funding.

Following the growth and success of the initiative, the Division of Student Affairs established funding to support an internship experience within the Engage Dallas Initiative that the Hegi Family Career Development Center would manage as part of the Hegi Internship Program portfolio. The Engage Dallas Internship Program is a resource exclusively for 51²è¹Ý students completing summer internships at Engage Dallas Community Partners, and we believe the Engage Dallas Internship Program can be a transformative experience for Mustangs to develop career readiness within a nonprofit context.

The Engage Dallas Internship Program has specific requirements for student applicants and community partners.

Student eligibility

The table below outlines major student eligibility requirements as well as an explanation for preferred qualifications.

Criteria Engage Dallas Internship Eligibility
Time and Duration Summer (10 weeks - first week of June through first week of August)
Hours/week 15 hours per week
College/Major Requirements All majors and years can apply

NOTE: Please note that Engage Dallas intends that the internship experience and stipend be distinct from and will not contribute to the attainment of any proficiency as the internship completion is stipend-based and not considered volunteerism.

Community Partner Eligibility

Recognized Engage Dallas Community Partners, or those organizations that have been vetted and approved by the Engage Dallas Off-site and Risk Management sub-team, are eligible to submit requests for Engage Dallas interns. A list of recognized Engage Dallas Community Partners is provided on the Partnership page.

Internship Posting Process

  1. Recognized Community Partners will submit an application via the Hegi Family Career Development Center. This application will provide details needed to submit a comprehensive application. 
  2. The Engage Dallas team and the Hegi Family Career Development Center will be responsible for approving the internship.
  3. Following approval, the Engage Dallas team will work to match you with an intern through platform. 

Overview

Students who participate in the Engage Dallas Internship program will be required to complete an internship orientation and a pre-reflection survey prior to the start of the internship experience, a mid-internship reflection survey, and a career counseling resume appointment and a post-reflection survey at the conclusion of the internship experience. The reflection surveys are structured around the NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers) Career Competencies. Throughout the internship, the intern will also be required to complete a Canvas course.

Community Partner Evaluation of Intern

Each community partner organization that hosts an internship will be responsible for conducting a professional evaluation of each student intern at the end of their internship. The evaluation method and variables used to measure performance will be up to the organization’s discretion. Ultimately, however, it is meant to show the student’s engagement and effort invested in the work, the employer’s experience hosting the intern, and their receptiveness to hosting more internships in the future.

Student Recruitment

Student recruitment for Engage Dallas Internships will align with recruitment for the Hegi Family Career Development Center Internship Program.  The recruitment timeline can be found on the Hegi Family Career Development Center website.

Stipend Distribution

Stipends will be managed and distributed by the Hegi Family Career Development Center.  Stipend distribution will align with the distribution timeline for the broader Hegi Family Career Development Center Internship Program.  The stipend will be disbursed in four payments over the course of the internship experience after students reach specific requirements to receive the stipend disbursement.

On the application, you will be asked to provide the following information that is specific to the internship experience. Examples of each will be provided on the application form. 

  • Organization mission statement
  • Internship position title 
  • Internship position description and overview

All internships should include the following elements:

  • Dedicated supervisor
  • Projects of ownership and participation in meaningful work assignments (internships should not be busy work ex: coffee runs)
  • Clearly articulated expectations and responsibilities (should also be outlined in the internship position description)
  • Robust onboarding and training experience
  • Ongoing professional development and education
  • Opportunities for feedback 
For community partners of the 51²è¹Ý Engage Dallas initiative, we invite you to consider hosting an 51²è¹Ý intern during the summer! Designed for students participating in the Engage Dallas initiative, this program allows our community partners to submit internship position applications to help support their organizations goals and missions. Students will be recruited through various channels on campus. In order to participate in the Engage Dallas Internship program as an employer, you must be an Engage Dallas affiliated community partner. The Hegi Family Career Development Center will match accepted internship positions with a qualified candidate and manage funding allotment for the duration of the program. To learn more about the Engage Dallas Internship program and receive application information,  please contact David Sommers at sommersd@smu.edu.