In-Action
Humboldt Students in the Community
Humboldt students become involved in surrounding communities in myriad ways, from courses requiring service, Clubs, Youth Educational Services (YES) and research programs, to applying for your volunteer and employment opportunities.
See how Service Learning and Academic Internship courses fit into the spectrum of ways Humboldt Students Serve in the Community.
Check out the definitions and lists of Service Learning and Academic Internships courses offered in the current semester. Course offerings may change up to three weeks into each semester.
Distinctions
Learn about the difference between Service Learning, Academic Internship and other types of service for students. Distinctions Among Approaches to Service and Experiential Learning.
For more in-depth information, check out the definitions and lists of Service Learning and Academic Internship courses offered in various semesters at the discretion of each department.
What is Service Learning?
- Service Learning students meet together in class with faculty guiding the service experience while integrating curriculum and reflection activities.
- These courses require students, individually or in teams, to conduct anywhere from 15-30+ hours of service, depending on course requirements.
- Courses may be designed and conducted at varying levels to include the following elements...
8 Essential Elements of Service Learning.
- Meet a real community-identified need, integrating "community voice".
- Link to curriculum - be tied into and enhance the curriculum of the established "S" Designated Service Learning course.
- Prepare and orient/train the student: to both the learning site/community partner organization and Service Learning pedagogy.
- Reciprocity: partnerships should be reciprocal in practice, being worthwhile and valuable for all participants -- student, faculty, and community.
- Provide systematic reflection activities that are embedded throughout the course.
- Undergo constant development: Service Learning - both the student experience and the course evolution - occurs in different stage and on different levels, for all participants.
- Foster civic responsibility and diversity.
- Provide ongoing, embedded evaluation with all participants aware of what will be evaluated.
What are Academic Internships?
- An Academic Internship is a culminating experience that integrates the student's major studies with practical experience at a collaborating organization. Students have the opportunity to gain insight into potential careers, while gaining valuable experience, increasing their professional network, and enhancing their understanding of curriculum.
- Individual students enroll in an internship course under the guidance of faculty. Some internship courses meet occasionally as a class; other students may conduct the internship independently.
- These courses require the student to conduct anywhere from 60-150+ hours of service, depending on course requirements.
- The emphasis is primarily on the student's academic, professional, as well as personal development; organization goals may also be met.
Learn more about developing Internships at your organization:
- Internships Guide for Community Partners
- U.S. Department of Labor Fact Sheet #71: Internship Programs Under the Fair Labor Standards Act
- Should internships be paid or unpaid? Whenever an agency can afford to pay their interns, that is ideal. However for groups such as nonprofits that cannot afford to hire a new employee, here's an article to consider: https://blueavocado.org/hr-and-employment-issues/ask-rita-in-hr-interns-who-lose-their-academic-connections-with-your-nonprofit-are-they-really-interns/