Skill Building and Political Science: The Undergraduate Intern Experience.

This paper focuses on approaches to designing and managing the undergraduate intern experience in political science, and its companion disciplines, public administration, and public policy. Specifically, it describes ways of connecting the internship with the undergraduate curriculum to provide skill building experiences for students as part of the course of study. The paper is organized into three sections: (1) rationalizing the internship; (2) designing the experience; (3) designing work for learning styles; and (4) managing the intern program. Personal experiences of 25 years of intern supervisory experience has led to the following conclusions: (1) the soundest, trouble-free programs come from a strong rationale or link to the academic program; (2) these exemplary programs all have a good job design and management; and (3) commitments by faculty, job supervisors, and participating students are all strong. The second on learning styles lists types of placements with a focus on skills. It has a lengthy analysis of the various types of agencies available for placement and what types of skills students may develop. (EH)