Information for Parents

Selecting an internship is one of the most important decisions HOD students make during their years at Vanderbilt. The internship provides valuable organizational experience and sets the tone for the student's professional career. It can help students solidify their future plans and can provide a stepping stone to gain entry into more selective industries.

The HOD staff meets with students individually during the internship search strategy process, providing career advice and internship opportunity contacts. The advice and guidance that parents provide can help prepare a student for this search process and improve the quality of their experience.

What is the purpose of the internship?

The primary objective of the internship is academic, not vocational. It allows students to apply their classroom learning about human development in an organizational setting.

What does the internship entail?

Students enrolled in the internship spend 32 hours per week at their internship site working and attend a weekly three-hour seminar given by Vanderbilt instructors. Interns are typically not paid by the internship sponsor organization for their work, as it is considered to be an academic experience.

What are the course requirements?

Students are required to participate in a 3-hour weekly seminar that helps them process their internship learning. This seminar is broken into four courses, each with a different focus and course requirements:

• HOD 2900: Internship in Human and Organizational Development. Includes 32 hours per week on-site, evaluations, and a site assessment report. 6/3 credits
• HOD 2910: Advanced Internship Seminar. Includes a learning plan and portfolio. 3 credits
• HOD 2920: Theoretical Applications. Includes an organizational analysis report, a S.W.O.T. analysis, and business cases. 3 credits
• HOD 2930: Senior Project. Includes senior project proposals, project reports, and the senior project. 3 credits

Where are the internships located?

Prospective interns may select from the following seven cities in which the HOD Internship Office has established programs and faculty:

• Atlanta (on hold till further notice)
• Chicago
• Nashville
• New York City
• San Francisco
• Washington, D.C.

What is the student's responsibility?

• Review their transcript for core requirement completion
• Complete the Internship Application available in the Internship Office
• Schedule an individual meeting with an Internship Office staff member to review and discuss their search strategy and action
• Secure an approved internship
• Execute their search strategy
• Complete an Internship Confirmation form by the deadline date
• Secure housing for off-campus internships

What is the Internship Office's responsibility?

• Maintain a database of pre-approved internship sites
• Meet individually with each student to help devise an internship search strategy
• Provide students with search strategy guidance, advice and problem-solving assistance
• Review and approve all new sites
• Register students for the internship class
• Conduct an orientation for off-campus students
• Coordinate with internship supervisors
• Conduct weekly seminars