HDFS 490Professional Development and Preparation for Internship Experience

3 credits · Human Development and Family Studies · Penn State

The HDFS internship experience provides students with a structured, guided opportunity to apply what they have learned in their courses to work in their chosen fields, to develop skills necessary to enter and succeed in the labor market, and to reflect on best practices in human services. In this preparation course, students focus on developing their professional skillsets well as on their personal internship search. With regard to professional development, students work to integrate their knowledge and skillsets relative to important professionalism topics (e.g. ethical standards and cultural competence). Through the internship development process, students are guided to explore their career goals, map out key skills and knowledge they wish to develop during their internship experience, identify organizations that might serve as internship sites, and ultimately develop an internship arrangement designed with their needs and professional aspirations in mind. Throughout the course, students are also guided to map their next steps through opportunities to do financial, educational, and career planning.