CALL FOR APPLICANTS:

SCSU ENGLISH DEPARTMENT INTERNSHIPS

The English Department is looking for two undergraduate English majors to work as
Department Interns for the Spring 2016 semester.

The interns will synthesize many of the areas of knowledge and skills gained thus far in
the major. They will (1) apply their knowledge and skills in analysis and writing, (2)
refine and apply research and communication skills in multi-media formats, (3) gain
marketable experience working collaboratively and effectively with others in timesensitive circumstances, (4) contribute to the growth and health of the Southern
Connecticut State University English program.

The interns will be responsible for planning, organizing, and overseeing key aspects
of department-specific alumni relations, community events, and career explorations,
including

conceiving, organizing, and promoting events that bring English alumni back
into the life of the department;
creating opportunities for career-related information sharing and
networking among former and current students;
producing and distributing a monthly departmental newsletter;
providing content for and maintaining the department website;
maintaining the departments social media presence;

The interns will meet at least once per week with the faculty sponsor to discuss plans for
upcoming events and to provide status updates for ongoing work. At the beginning of the
semester, the sponsor will work with the interns to develop a plan of work that is
manageable in scope and pace. The sponsor will serve as a liaison between the interns,
the chair of the department, and the English Majors Committee, whose program goals and
initiatives will provide the framework for the interns work.
Interns will be evaluated on the basis of the following items, as well as on the
professionalism with which they approach and complete their responsibilities:
a written action plan produced near the beginning of the semester outlining
and describing the main projects and activities to be undertaken over the
course of the semester;
approximately every four weeks during the semester, a written evaluation of
intern activities completed and/or in progress, along with an assessment of
the learning experiences associated with those activities for the intern, to be
submitted to the internship advisor and the faculty English Majors Committee;
an end-of-semester final portfolio demonstrating work completed for all
aspects of the internship experience and including a written reflection on the
experience, to be submitted and presented orally to the internship advisor
and the faculty English Majors Committee.
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Students selected for the internship will be given departmental permission to register for
ENG 498, a three-credit course. The credits will count toward the specialization in
professional writing or toward elective credit in the major. This is an unpaid internship.

Workload
Expectations:
Interns should expect to make a serious commitment of time and energy to the
position, approximating to standard workload expectations for any other 3credit course (i.e. approximately 7-9 hours of work per week).

Qualifications:
English major
Junior or senior class status
English GPA of 3.0 or above
Strong writer
Technological savvy or the willingness to acquire the necessary skills

Applicants should submit an application packet to include

a brief letter explaining their interest in and qualifications for the position,
including prior experiences relevant to the internship duties as described in this
document and sample ideas for intern-initiated English department activities,
projects, or initiatives;
a resume;
a writing sample of at least 5 pages (e.g. an analytical essay or the equivalent that
will demonstrate skills and abilities relevant to the internships duties);
names and contact information for two references (at least one of whom should
be an SCSU professor) who will be able to address your demonstrated work
ethic, organizational skills, and initiative.
Submit your complete application packet as a single Word or PDF file via email attachment
to Prof. Paul R. Petrie at petriep1@southernct.edu.
Deadline for application: November 30, 2015.

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