Augustana in Denver Full-Time Internships in Denver, Colorado
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Augustana in Denver Full-time Internships in Denver, Colorado, Fall Term FAQs Why should I participate in this program? The Augustana in Denver program offers juniors and seniors of all majors the opportunity for professional and personal development. This program involves completing a full-time internship and seminar while living in the Mile High City. During fall term (August-October) each year, students intern in the lively and beautiful city of Denver. Students explore career paths and assimilate into a new culture through professional internships, an internship seminar, and engaging with the local community. Students gain independence while interning in a safe and supportive learning environment. They discern the next step on their professional path as they complete this experiential program. This program is a partnership with Wartburg College in Waverly, IA with the Wartburg West program (www.wartburg.edu/west/) . This program provides students with an opportunity to experience and reflect upon urban life. Many Augustana graduates will live and work in an urban setting. Living in downtown Denver helps prepare students for that experience, and seeks to enable students to be active, contributing participants in the life of the community in which they will live and work. How long have Augustana students been interning in Denver? Students have been interning in Denver through the Augustana in Denver program since 2010. Students of all majors have taken advantage of professional and research opportunities that this program offers. Students intern for 32-40 hours per week in individualized placements and attend an internship seminar (class) during the term. How should I apply for this international internship program? All students will be notified of deadlines through email correspondence. Students apply for this program during winter term, three-terms prior to participation. They apply through the Augustana International and Off-Campus online application by the deadline in early January at www.augustana.edu/plus. Students pay a one-time partially refundable deposit of $300 to the Augustana Business Office by the deadline in early January. Once approved by the International Office, students will complete the internship application process. Candidates need to stay current in meeting application deadlines to remain in the program. You also need to provide two letters of recommendation (one academic and one professional) during the application process. Who is Augustana’s partner organization in Denver? Augustana partners with Wartburg College of Waverly, IA, a liberal arts college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in the Wartburg West Program. The mission of Wartburg College is focused on challenging students to lives of leadership and service through expression of their faith and learning. Program directors of Wartburg West are the Reverends Nelson and Bonita Bock, who bring 25+ years of experience in urban ministry and community involvement to the program. Based upon a detailed internship application, they will place each student in an internship which meets the student’s learning objectives. Wartburg West provides program oversight, orientation and support, housing, insurance, and student services. Co-Directors Nelson and Bonita Bock may be reached at 303-860-7119 in Denver. Who should I contact in an emergency? In an emergency, please contact Karen M. Petersen, Program Director, Augustana in Denver at 309-794-7456 (office) or 563-320-7091 (mobile). You may also contact Dr. Allen Bertsche, Director of International and Off-Campus Programs at 309-794-8283 (office) or 309-912-8619 (mobile). They will contact Wartburg West on your behalf. You may also contact Nelson and Bonita Bock directly at 303-860-7119. What academic credit do I earn for this internship program? Students will earn nine (9) 300-level internship credits total for this program. You must be approved by your academic advisor, and possibly your major department to participate in this program. Students will earn academic credit for the internship and there are academic assignments to complete throughout the term. Some academic departments also grant departmental internship credit. Does my major department need to approve my internship application? Yes, each intern must receive the approval of his/her major academic advisor (and possibly the major department) in order to participate in this internship program per Augustana academic policy. If the major department withdraws support of the application, the applicant will be removed from the program roster. How is this program different from Augustana’s other study abroad and off-campus programs? On the Augustana in Denver program, each student completes a professional internship, based upon his/her learning objectives. Each intern will earn Augustana academic credit for the internship and there are academic assignments to complete throughout the term. On this program interns do not travel with Augustana faculty/staff; they travel independently throughout the city to the internship site. This program requires more professionalism on the part of each student. The intern is expected to provide value to the sponsor on a daily basis, and will be treated as a young professional by the internship sponsor. Each intern must complete internship assignments with the oversight of a professional sponsor. Augustana faculty/staff may visit Denver for a short time during the program to conduct internship site visits and to assess the overall program. While in Denver, the Augustana interns are supervised by their internship site supervisor and Wartburg West co-directors, in collaboration with Augustana. Are any group outings included in the program fee? Wartburg West coordinates many outings and external opportunities around the Denver area. A schedule of program activities will be available from Wartburg West closer to the start of the program. How do I get to the Wartburg West apartment in Denver? You are responsible for arranging and paying for your own transportation to and from Denver. Transportation costs in Denver vary, depending on how you get to work and how much you travel on your own time. Check www.rtd-denver.com for current information on fares for Denver’s public transportation system; costs for students with cars will depend on amount driven and costs for parking. You may drive or take advantage of the Denver International Airport, located 25 miles driving distance from downtown Denver. Is there associated coursework to be completed while interning in Denver? Yes, this is an academic internship program, and academic assignments will be completed. An internship seminar is held weekly in Denver. All assignments must be completed and are part of the internship grade. How does this program help me prepare professionally for the internship? For your internship application, you will have assistance from the Career Development office to develop your résumé and cover letter. You will also learn about obtaining professional letters of recommendation. You may also participate in mock interviews and job shadows. In Denver, you will deepen your understanding of a successful internship as you provide value to the internship site and integrate into the local community. Where will I live? You will live in furnished individual studio apartments located in Cathedral Square North in downtown Denver. Apartments include a kitchen, bathroom, living area, and furnishings such as dishes, silverware, and kitchen supplies. Furniture in each apartment includes a bed with mattress cover, lamps, dresser, coffee table, table and chairs/stools, futon or fold-out sofa, and nightstand and bookcase. What type of fitness center is part of the program? All Denver interns receive free memberships to the Morey Neighborhood Center, a wellness facility located across the street from the apartments. The facility includes a pool, gym, weight room, and fitness classes. Denver Parks and Recreation centers have a variety of equipment, courts, classes, and pools. There is also support for athletes attending this program. Who will I live with? All Augustana in Denver students live in the individual studio apartments in downtown Denver. All building occupants during fall term are from Augustana or Wartburg College. What is the work-week like in Denver? The program is subject to change, but generally students intern for 8 hours per day, Monday through Friday. Interns will take public transportation or drive their personal car to the internship site. Most students work a traditional 8 am to 5 pm day; however, some internships require night or weekend hours. Internships in some industries such as sports management and event planning generally do not follow a typical 8 am – 5 pm daily schedule. What are the dates of the program? The program dates change each year based upon the academic calendar and needs of employers. For fall of 2015, program dates are from early-August to the end of fall term. Students must be on site in the housing no later than the afternoon of August 15, 2015. Are the internships paid? No, none of the interns in Denver are paid through the Augustana in Denver program. However, students often use their Augie Choice award to cover expenses while living in Denver. How does the internship placement process work? You will complete a comprehensive internship application describing the type of internship desired, including learning objectives. You will provide a résumé, cover letter, unofficial transcript, background check and two letters of recommendation. The internship sponsor will conduct a cursory interview with the intern via Skype prior to the internship or when the intern arrives in Denver. How much does this program cost? The tuition and program fee for fall term in 2015 is approximately $14,500, about the same price as studying on campus. This includes your housing in downtown Denver, insurance, fall term Augustana tuition and fees, internship placement and oversight, supervision by Wartburg West staff, and 24/7 access to Student Services and Assistance. Your financial aid will be applied to the total of $14,500 and other scholarships and awards such as Augie Choice may be utilized.