Sociology
Internship Information (Soc 490)
Soc 490 - Cooperative Education
Sociology and Social Services Majors
How exciting! You are ready to start the internship process! Social Services workers show a great deal of initiative and organization. It is imperative that you use this opportunity to develop workplace skills that will benefit you, and the people you serve, as you enter your profession. We have a great Career Services program here at CWU. I am here to help support and monitor your internship and Career Services is here to help get you across the starting line.
📘 SOCIOLOGY 490 INTERNSHIP GUIDE - Social Services @ CWU
🔍 Overview
Gain real-world experience in social work and human services. Develop workplace skills and apply academic learning via internship experience. Required for Social Services major.
- Enrolled by Career Services (not self-enrolled).
- Internships cannot count retroactively.
- Start planning at least one quarter in advance.
🗓️ Planning Your Internship
- Recommended for Juniors/Seniors (90+ credits).
- Complete SOC 301 & SOC 310 beforehand.
- Choose your population: children, elderly, veterans, etc.
- Decide on organization type: government, nonprofit, etc.
- Requirement for major: 4 credits = 160 hours
- Internship experiences can span multiple quarters.
🌐 Finding a Site
- Sociology and Career Services has a spreadsheet that lists previous internship sites
- Internet search for specific city/county/community and “Social Services Resources”
- Explore opportunities via Handshake: https://cwu.joinhandshake.com/login
📝 Application Process
- Use Wildcat Career Network via MyCWU to create Handshake account
- Submit Learning Agreement Application 3-4 weeks in advance of start date: https://careerservices.cwu.edu/resources/internship-checklist-docx/
🎯 Learning Objectives
- Must be specific, measurable, and realistic
- Developed with site supervisor and based on internship description
- Develop at least 3 objectives with attainable goals
- Example:
- Goal: Learn client engagement skills
- Task: Shadow clinicians during assessments
📚 Academic Requirements
- Weekly journal entries
- Midterm progress report
- Final paper (3–5 pages)
- 3 check-ins via discussion board with peers
- Virtual site visit between student, faculty instructor & site supervisor
📬 Have Questions? Contact:
- Internship Advisor/Faculty Instructor: Dr. Pamela McMullin-Messier, SAM 231A
pamela.mcmullin-messier@cwu.edu - Career Services Internship Coordinator: Cassey Henrickson, Bouillon 206 https://careerservices.cwu.edu/staff/#cassey-henrickson
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Questions? Contact Us
Department of Sociology
Samuelson 201