VOCATION AND CURRICULUM INITIATIVES

Vocation in Career Development
Vocational internship experiences introduce students to the theological, vocational, and ethical issues in their fields of study.

The Lilly SERVE program aims to make internship opportunities available to all students in liberal arts disciplines and to encourage theological reflection on students' individual experiences. Internships include opportunities in business, government, and non-profit organizations, as well as one-on-one mentorship opportunities for students with another Christian working professionally in their field.

At SPU, the professional schools have well-established internships as an integral component of their students' education. They also do a good job of introducing students to the theological, vocational and ethical issues in those fields through required seminars that accompany the internships. However, students majoring in the sciences, social sciences, and humanities have had in the past only random opportunities for field exploration of career options. Less than 20% of all arts and sciences graduates have completed internships. In order to address this imbalance, Career Development is taking the following actions:

1. Escalating participation of students majoring in liberal arts disciplines in the internship program by:
   • Increasing the number of internships sites for students majoring in liberal arts disciplines.
   • Increasing the number of students in liberal arts disciplines who include internships in their course of study.
   • Increasing the long-term theological and vocational impact of internship experiences.
   • Encouraging a significant number of students to consider careers in non-profit and ministry organizations.
     
     
2. Developing and teaching an inter-disciplinary seminar focused on theological issues in vocation, which will serve as a co-requisite for students doing internships:
   • Seminar will focus on theological reflection on vocational choice and on personal vocational discernment.
   • Seminar will be offered each quarter, starting Fall 2002.
   • Faculty are encouraged to include the seminar as a requirement for fulfillment of the internship credits (written into the student's learning contract).
   • Syllabus will be sent to CAS faculty during pre-registration of each quarter.
     
     
3. Creating a program of "Mentored Internships" for students who desire a Christian mentor in their field of interest.
   • Mentored internships will combine internship experience with a one-on-one mentoring component with a Christian working in the field.
   • Mentored Internships will be available to all SPU students, including those majoring in professional disciplines.
   • SPU alumni are encouraged to apply to be "Mentorvisors"--sponsor a student intern at their work site and establish a mentoring relationship with that student.

      

4. Recruiting and training "Mentorvisors" from SPU alumni and parents or friends of the University.
• Create an orientation program and materials for mentors, students, and faculty regarding the Internship Program and the new Mentored Internship Program.
• Create a manual of internship policies, guidelines, and procedures for students, faculty, and supervisors.
  
  
5. Assisting faculty advisors in the liberal arts with internships for their advisees by:
• Increasing the number of internship sites in areas where faculty see a need.
• Working closely with faculty advisors to help students locate or develop appropriate internships.
• Increasing awareness of the internship program and opportunities for new faculty.

Contact:
Jacqui Smith-Bates Director, Career Development
SUB 2nd Floor | (206) 281-2488
jacquisb@spu.edu

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