The Successful Internship: Transformation and Empowerment

by H. Frederick Sweitzer, Mary A. King

In this concise new book, the authors describe the internship process, using the stages of anticipation, disillusionment, confrontation, competence, and culmination. Students learn to understand that an internship is an individual experience, the result of a complex interaction between the individuals and groups that make up the placement site and each individual intern. As the book progresses, the authors consider the issues and tasks that students must deal with at each stage of the internship, emphasizing the theme of self-understanding throughout. Students are encouraged to connect what they have learned about themselves with the shape and pace of their own internship experience.

Genres: Counselling, Social Work, School, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published September 9, 1998

Reviews

[Mallory · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m always looking for ways to improve my internship program and picked this up with that aim in mind. While this book is geared towards human services internships and working with clients, there was a lot of good information that can be applied to a more general internship setting, such as the developmental stages of an internship, maximizing the likelihood of a fulfilling experience, goal statements and learning objectives, the different roles of a supervisor, and problem solving. I skipped or skimmed the chapters heavily focused on human services but read the more general chapters and enjoyed them.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practicum 583

[Jay Bakman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written clearly and for all kinds of internship possibilities. I am currently in a mental health program and this internship book was extremely informative regarding how I should approach my supervisor and grow as a student. I think it's important to note that this book is written with the expectation that the student has a mentor at their educational institution as well. However, if one does not have access to an educational mentor, this book is fantastic all on its own because of its concise directions. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking to get the most out of their internship experience.

[pinK · Rating 4 out of 5]

This J's one of the few tomes that I've had to read a textbook cover to cover, but I feel that all the information here is valuable. I will definitely be hanging on to this book throughout my internships.

[Jana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am using this for one of the courses I teach, and while it is perfectly acceptable for classroom use, I do wish it included more about student development in the internship experience.

[Diane]

Absolutely excellent book. It really helps frame the internship experience in a manner to encourage the intern to get the most out of it, particularly in a service learning setting.