Information for Prospective Mentors

Work/Academic Goals and Objectives

• Goals and objectives for the student's internship are created by the mentor and the student and reviewed by the School. This proposal is the basis for the student's learning experience/internship with your organization.

Mentorship Requirements

• The student requires an on-site mentor who has at least three years' experience in the field in which the student is working and doing the work the student will be required to do.
• The mentor should plan to spend at least one hour per week, with more hours during the student's first few weeks, reviewing the student's work and meeting with the student to provide advice and monitor progress toward the student's goals.
• The mentor must agree to the mentor agreement (PDF) set forth by the School.

Acceptable Types of Work

• The work is related to what is taught at the School of Information and is at an appropriate level of professionalism for master's students (clerical and administrative work does not qualify).
• Work must be practical-based, or applied. Work that is research-based only will not qualify.
• Work must provide student interns with a perspective outside of the School of Information. Student interns should be provided with the opportunity to network and have contact with external constituents for more than 50 percent of their time (this is important to note for students interning with SI faculty).

Hours and Pay

• Students can work part time or full time in increments of 30 hours, with a 60 hour minimum per term.
• Pay is not required but is becoming more important in a competitive environment and is a critical factor in most students' acceptance of internships.
• Pay and work schedule is negotiated between mentors and the students.
• If the internship is unpaid, please let the student know early in your discussions about the opportunity.

Learning Outcomes

• A credit-based internship is designed to provide a structured learning experience. During the course of the internship, students gain new insights, knowledge, experience, and skills that enable them to meet the specific task-oriented goals set forth in the internship proposal or job description created by the employer (the prospective mentor).
• A credit-based internship is not work replacement of regular staff but rather a progressive, cumulative experience in which the student demonstrates understanding or mastery of a defined and agreed-upon practical experience.
• Goals and objectives for the student's learning experience are created by the mentor and the student and are reviewed by the School. This work plan is the basis for the student's learning experience within your organization.

Evaluation

• Mentors are required to submit an evaluation of the student's performance and learning outcomes upon completion of the internship.

Examples of Successful Internships

• Reference, cataloging, or collection work at a library
• Digitizing collections
• Policy research and development
• Web or interaction design/development
• Usability evaluation
• Technology instruction in a nonprofit setting
• ...And many more

Mentor Responsibilities

• Sites that host SI student interns complete a PEP Internship Proposal (PDF) describing the proposed work environment, proposed student projects and duties (job description), total number of hours and timeframe, and contribution this experience will make to the student's education. The proposal also identifies a professional who will serve as mentor to the School of Information student and states whether the position is paid or unpaid.
• The mentor reviews and agrees to the mentor guidelines set forth by the School.
• The mentor meets regularly with the SI student to offer guidance, counseling, and direction toward completion of assigned tasks.
• Mentors must have an interest in and time available for the regular management and guidance of students.
• Mentors must have three years' experience in the area of the student's learning experience.
• The mentor cannot be a relative of the student.
• At the end of the semester, the mentor completes an evaluation of the student's performance via an online survey application. The mentor should go over this evaluation with the student upon completion of the internship.