All WGSS majors and minors and SXST minors must successfully complete an internship for transcript notation. This may occur anytime after completing at least one core WGSS course (WGSS 100, 200, 208). Exceptions to this prerequisite will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the department chair. Internships may happen anywhere in the world over the summer or locally in the Carlisle area during the semester, but they must be completed by graduation.
Purpose of the Internship
The concept of feminist praxis, or putting theory into action, is key to the history of the field of women’s, gender and sexuality studies. We require students to participate in an internship so that they can observe and participate in work related to women’s, gender and sexuality studies outside of the classroom. Students report that their internships are often life-changing, leading to decisions about meaningful careers and graduate school decisions. For everyone, the chance to connect the work we do in the classroom with the work outside the classroom is a crucial aspect of a women’s, gender and sexuality studies major.
Procedures
The department chair will review and approve any internship for WGSS-notation. You are welcome to speak with your WGSS advisor or the chair about potential sites. Once the chair has approved the internship to count for WGSS, you can register your internship with the college. All internships must conform to the expectations set by the college in terms of length of time and minimum number of hours worked. Please see the full description of parameters and procedures here.
Throughout the internship, you will be prompted to reflect on your experiences and, specifically, consider how the internship relates to your WGSS/SXST major or minor.
Resources
Students are encouraged to utilize the resources in the Integrated Academic Success Center. From individualized career advising appointments and drop-in hours, internship/job postings, on- and off-campus programs and online resources and alumni groups, students can work with the center to identify opportunities to meet their interests and connect with alumni.
Financial Support
The college and the WGSS department have a limited number of grants available to support students in their internships (grants from the college are restricted to summer internships, whereas departmental grants are available anytime). When you apply for the internship notation, you will have the option to also apply for these grants. Grants may be used to cover costs associated with your completion of the internship, such as transportation costs (money for gas, bus fare, etc.) and on-site housing.
Past Internships
Our students have sought out a wide variety of internships, including at the following locations:
Healthcare, Medicine & Counseling:
- Planned Parenthood
- Global Mental Health Program, Columbia University
- Kennedy Krieger Institute
- National Alliance on Mental Illness- Mercer
- MOMENTUM Integrated Health Resilience
- Complete Care
- Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition
- One You Nutrition
Social and Community Services:
- National Network to End Domestic Violence
- YWCA - recently Carlisle, Cumberland County & Cambridge
- Dauphin County Social Services for Children and Youth
- Carlisle Arts Learning Center (CALC)
- 16 Strong Project
- La Fundación Sobran Motivos
- New Life Community Carlisle
- Safe Harbour
- Transitions of PA
- Girls on the Run
- Rural Women Development Foundation, Guangdong
- Spectrum Community Services
Social Justice and Political Organizing:
- American Association of University Women (AAUW Carlisle)
- Scaffolding Advocacy and Inclusive Leadership (SAIL)
- The Feminist Majority Foundation
- The Black Institute
- International Youth Foundation
- United Way of Columbia and Montour County
- Connecticut Democratic Party
- REPRORising Virginia
- Vermont Works for Women
- Queer Wellness Center
- Fund for Global Human Rights
- Girls Inc. of the Valley
- TurnUp!
Sexual Violence Prevention Organizations:
- Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN)
- National Sexual Violence Resource Center
- Women Organized Against Rape (WOAR)
- North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault
Non-Profit:
- YWCA Carlisle
- YWCA Cambridge
- LGBT Center Central PA History Project
Legal Services:
- CASA Cumberland County
- Center for Family Justice
- MidPenn Legal Services
- PA Office of the Attorney General
Marketing, Communications & Consulting:
- Doner
- Watson HCM Consulting
Research, Archives & Events:
- ºìÐÓÖ±²¥app: Title IX Office, WGRC, Archives & Special Collections, CCLA, LGBTQ+ Center, various academic departments
- F&M Global Barometers
- University of Missouri