CAMP Scholars Internship Program
CAMP Scholars
Mission
To promote and foster the development of CAMP Students through training,
professional development, and relationship building. The Scholars Internship
Program will place talented CAMP students who have shown great leadership
potential in government, business and nonprofit organizations to prepare them
for positions of leadership.
Purpose
The CAMP Scholars Internship Program was created to ensure that young Migrant students develop their personal and professional potential. The CAMP Scholars Internship Program combines leadership training with technical and practical experience during the academic year.
The CAMP Scholars Internship Program
For more than two decades, CAMP has helped students from migrant and seasonal farm-worker backgrounds succeed in college.The CAMP Scholars Internship Program is an additional benefit created uniquely for students who have an excellent academic record and an interest in public service. The goal of the program is to train the next generation of migrant leaders through academic seminars and professional development acquired by internship experience. Scholars receive a valuable opportunity to increase their knowledge and professional contacts while learning desirable lifelong skills. Students who successfully complete the program receive a stipend to assist with college expenses.
The Academic Component
The internship experience begins with a comprehensive orientation to clarify
the expectations, responsibilities, and benefits of the program. Speakers from
different public sector entities participate in the orientation, providing the
Scholars with advice and valuable information.
During the academic year, students attend a monthly training seminar. The
monthly meetings allow the students to expand their knowledge, explore future
opportunities, and share internship experiences. Field trips supplement material
covered in the seminars in order to connect the new ideas and information that
is exchanged.
The CAMP Scholars Seminar focuses on open discussion, inquiry, and discovery.
The seminar examines leadership and public policy within the context of a
changing contemporary multicultural and multiethnic society. Scholars have
assignments and a final project directly related to their internship. Scholars
receive up to three semester units for the coursework in the program.
Office Placements
CAMP Scholars are placed in offices where
they will enhance their leadership skills and
learn more about public policy and service.
Placements are determined by the needs of the
office and on the Scholars’ skills and career
interests. In previous years, CAMP Scholars
interned in California Assembly and Senate
members’ Capitol offices, U.S. Congress
and Senators’ district offices and/or in other
non-profit organizations and agencies in the
Sacramento area.
Who are the Scholars?
The students selected to participate in the CAMP
Scholars Internship Program are second-year Sac
State college students who have demonstrated a
high level of motivation, maturity, and commitment
to accomplish their academic goals. They come
from a migrant background and in most cases,
are the first generation in their families to attend a
university. Many of the students have a record of
community service and involvement in leadership
and other extracurricular activities. The program
selects individuals from all academic disciplines who
demonstrate leadership potential and an interest in
public service. Among the most popular majors are
Business, Engineering, Computer Science, Liberal
Studies, and Criminal Justice. Scholars are selected
based on a review of their application and subsequent
interview.
The Role of the Scholar
The Scholars are available to work 12 to 15 hours a
week for an academic year. The academic year runs
from early September through mid December during
the fall semester and from early February through
mid May during the spring semester. Scholars are not
expected to work during scheduled recess time in the
academic calendar. The students fully understand the
responsibilities involved in interning and have agreed
in writing to organize their academic schedules
appropriately, report to work on time, and inform
their supervisors in advance if they will be missing
any time from work. Scholars must also attend every
monthly seminar.
The Role of the Agency
The main purpose of the internship is to provide the students with
the opportunity to acquire valuable leadership and employment
skills in addition to general knowledge about the essential
operation of the office or department. The agency should provide a
positive work environment and any necessary training to allow the
student to perform duties and responsibilities effectively. Besides
general duties and responsibilities, the agency should provide
challenging assignments where the student can make the greatest
contribution while maximizing the internship experience. CAMP
requests that the agency provide the student support and feedback
on a regular basis and fill out an evaluation form at the end of each
academic semester.
CALENDAR
CONCLUSION
It is the goal of the CAMP Scholars Internship Program to equally benefit the student and the office where they are place. Scholars receive training and exposure to a professional environment and the office acquires a motivated and enthusiastic student eager to learn and become an integral part of the staff. Participating in the Program is a great way to support future migrant leaders.
For more information, you may contact Viridiana Diaz at (916) 278-7241.