Agencies Information
For more than twenty years, CAMP has helped students from migrant and seasonal farm-worker backgrounds to succeed in college. The CAMP Scholars Internship Program is an additional benefit uniquely created for students who have attain an excellent academic record in high school. The goal of the Program is to train the next generation of migrant leaders through academic seminars and professional development acquired during an internship experience. Scholars are given a valuable opportunity to increase their knowledge of government, expand their interests and develop professional contacts while learning lifelong skills.
THE ACADEMIC COMPONENT
The internship experience begins with a comprehensive orientation session designed to clarify the expectations of the program, outline the responsibilities of students and explain the benefits of being part of the program. Professionals from different areas within state and local government, provide the Scholars with advice and valuable information during the orientation.
Students attend monthly training sessions held on the first Saturday of every month during the Fall semester. These meetings allow students to share their internship experiences and expand their knowledge by learning from each other. Additionally, Scholars are enrolled in an introductory government course where they can apply what they learned to their internship.
During the Spring semester, students are enrolled in a three-unit seminar specifically designed for Scholars and taught by a faculty member of the Public Policy and Administration Department. This seminar is a time for open discussion, inquiry and discovery. Students will explore concepts of leadership and public policy within the context of a changing contemporary multicultural and multi-ethnic society. Scholars have weekly assignments and a final project directly related to their internship.
OFFICE PLACEMENTS
CAMP Scholars are placed in offices where they can enhance their leadership skills and learn more about public policy. Placements are made based on the skills and interests of the student and the needs of the office. In previous years scholars have interned with state senators and assembly members, members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S Senate, the Mexican Consulate, the Mexican American Legal Defense & Education Fund (MALDEF) and other non-profit organizations and agencies in the Sacramento area.
WHO ARE THE SCHOLARS?
Students selected to participate in the CAMP Scholars Internship Program have demonstrated a high level of motivation , maturity , and commitment to accomplish their academic goals. They are first-year college students who graduated from high school with outstanding status and a minimum of a 3.0 grade point average. Scholars come from a migrant background and in most cases, are the first in their families to attend a university. Many of these first generation college students are involved in community service, campus and community leadership and other extra curricular 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 upon review of a detailed application and subsequent in-person interview.
THE ROLE OF THE SCHOLAR
Students must be available to work 12 to 15 hours a week during the entire academic year which runs from early September through mid December and from early February through mid May. Scholars are not expected to work during scheduled recess time throughout the academic calendar. Students are fully aware of the responsibilities involved in being an intern and agree—in writing to organize their school schedule appropriately, report to work on time, and inform their supervisors in advance if they will be missing any time from work.
THE ROLE OF THE OFFICE
The main purpose of the office is to provide the students with the opportunity to acquire valuable leadership and employment skills beyond general clerical work. The office should provide a positive work environment and any necessary training to allow the student to perform the required duties and responsibilities effectively. The office that accepts the responsibility of mentoring an intern should provide them with challenging assignments where they can make the greatest contribution while maximizing the internship experience. Additionally, we feel it is extremely important for the intern's supervisor to provide the student with support and feedback on a regular basis and to complete an evaluation form at the end of each academic semester.
CALENDAR
- Second Monday of September (Fall semester/internship begins)
- Last week of November (First Semester Performance Evaluation due)
- First week of December (end of Fall academic semester)
- First week of December to the first Monday of February (Winter recess)
- First Monday of February (Spring semester/internship begins)
- Third week of March (Spring recess/1 week)
- First week of May (end of Spring academic semester and internship)
- Late April (Second Semester Performance Evaluation due)
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.
Evaluation Forms: Fall | Spring
