Internships for Jepson Majors

The Jepson internship reflects the school's rigor and commitment to deeper learning through reflection and conversation and is an important component in the Jepson academic experience. It is designed to help students integrate what they have learned in their studies of leadership with experiences in government, corporation, educational, nonprofit or other settings. The internship provides the means to help students translate theory into practice.

The internship requirement is generally completed the summer between junior and senior year so students have time to complete the necessary coursework that will help them get the most out of the experience.The internship component requires that students complete 240 hours of field work at an agency, organization or business where they will have the opportunity to complete concrete tasks that involve leadership responsibility, observe leadership on a regular basis, obtain coaching and feedback from a site supervisor, and participate in a site orientation.

Interns are expected to develop a learning contract with the site supervisor that outlines specific tasks, hours, goals and expectations so both get the most out of the experience. During the course of the internship, the intern will complete several written assignments where they connect theory to practice and reflect on their experience. Students are expected to compile their assignments into a portfolio at the end of the internship.

Students attend a mandatory internship orientation session in the fall semester and are urged to begin their internship search during the winter holiday break. The associate dean for student and external affairs and staff from the Career Development Center work with students to identify internship opportunities, but it is the student's responsibility to secure and arrange their internship in an arena that supports their career goals.

Jepson internships are as diverse as the student body. Recent internships have been with congressional offices, foundations, medical centers, museums, government agencies and businesses and consulting firms. These internships often set the stage for students' futures.

Braxton Bragg, '06, a leadership studies and business double major, graduated with a job offer from his internship site, the boutique consulting and accounting firm Beers & Cutler in the Washington suburbs. Julee Wilson, '04, aspired to become a fashion writer. An internship at a New York department store helped position her to work for Real Simple magazine. Victoria Cobb, '00, serves as executive director of the powerful Family Foundation that lobbies the Virginia General Assembly on a faith-based, family-focused platform. Prior to joining the foundation as a staff member, she was an intern.

Internship Resources

Burrus Fellowship Application
Prospective Internship Site Application
Informed Consent for Off-Campus Experiences
Internship Site Approval
Internship Learning Contract
Midsemester Self-Evaluation
Internship Site Evaluation