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Internships and Service Learning
at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies
In This Page
Internships in the Department of Public Administration and Urban Studies
Student Perspectives - Quotes from PAUS Interns in 2001
"The internship has been a great experience. Everyday I learn something new. I have enjoyed working in a complex organization that is dependent on every department and team member."
"This internship allows me to be involved in multiple aspects of the health planning process. It provides me with a chance to see how agencies in the public sector function at various levels. It also allows me to see how health care services are provided through public and private collaborative efforts. I have participated in meetings involving the Commissioner, agency heads, and division directors. This experience provided me with the opportunity to develop a well-rounded knowledge base and an opportunity to utilize a variety of skills in the area of public administration."
"I really enjoy my internship. I'm learning a lot about city government practices. I especially enjoy investigating complaints by citizens and enforcing code. The staff has been very warm and welcoming."
"In the short time that I have been here, I have learned so much from [my Intern Sponsor] both formally and informally. The same can be said of the rest of the staff of this agency. Everyone has made me feel like an equal team member. This internship is shaping up to be far better than I could have imagined."
"Working in the field of outplacement/career transition services has shed a new light on the current state of the economy and how it is effecting company's decisions to downsize and restructure their organizations."
"Thus far the work has been fairly exciting and challenging. I have already taken two trips to Washington D.C. to conduct my audit work and will probably make another before the internship is complete. This work has been great and I believe it will contribute greatly to my education in the PAUS program."
"The program staff have been great about soliciting my input during the program planning process, and it has been very exciting to see the things I've learned about in class in action!"
"Throughout my internship I was able to apply many of the skills and much of the knowledge I gained from classes I have taken so far."
Students tell us in their own words what an important part the internship experience plays in their education at the AYSPS. Those completing internships gain professional experience and added responsibility, as well as academic credit. Interns work in their chosen field with professionals who not only provide a valuable interning experience, but also serve as mentors and role models. Internships allow students to test concepts they have learned in the classroom with practical experience and to evaluate their career readiness. Being an intern or long-term volunteer also provides AYSPS students an inside look at their chosen field, from a practitioner's point of view, allowing them to hone important career building skills. According to one recent intern, "I know I will leave this internship with the tools to pursue a position directly in my career path."
This year, 58 graduate and undergraduate students completed internships for academic credit. The graduate internship is one of several exit options for students in the M.P.A., M.P.A./J.D., and the M.S. in Urban Policy Studies degrees, and is required for students in the M.S. In Human Resource Development program who do not have significant prior work experience. The internship is also an optional capstone course for urban policy studies undergraduates in their senior year, or is available as a junior elective.
The internship program for students in public administration, urban policy studies, and human resource development is coordinated by Dr. Gregory Streib and Dr. Katherine Willoughby. Year-round online access to course materials, and a myriad of choices for communicating with the Internship Coordinators adds to the appeal of this course. According to a fall semester 2001 intern, "the program is very flexible for any student." Others have praised the course for its organization and convenience. According to another student, "The course flowed well, and information was easy to gain."
Student Internship Placements
In 2001, graduate and undergraduate students in the Department of Public Administration and Urban Policy Studies held internships in a variety of public, nonprofit and private sector organizations, including the following:
Public Agencies and Organizations
- City of Riverdale, Georgia, Public Works Department
- City of Smyrna, Georgia, City Manager's Office
- DeKalb County Board of Health
- Fulton County Juvenile Court, Probation Division
- Georgia Department of Community Health
- Georgia Department of Human Resources
- U.S. General Accounting Office
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General
- U.S. Social Security Administration
Nonprofit Organizations
- American Red Cross
- Community Alliance of Metropolitan Parkway
- Georgia Society of Association Executives
- Global Health Action
- Inman Park Cooperative Preschool
- March of Dimes
- National Institute for Community Empowerment
- National Youth Leadership Forum
- Pace Academy, Development Office
- Southern Regional Council
- United Cerebral Palsy
Private Sector Organizations
- Atlantic Southeast Airlines
- Capitol Impact, Inc.
- CMI International
- Delta Airlines
- McDonald's Corporation
- Mead Packaging
- Mirant Corporation
- Prudential Relocation
- Randstad North America
- Sears Roebuck and Co.
- SunTrust Bank
- SuperValu Stores
Service Learning
The Office of Community Outreach and Partnerships (OCOP) coordinates a service-learning program offering GSU students the opportunity to participate in community service. Through this experiential learning process, students apply classroom studies in community settings, addressing genuine community needs. Participating students represent virtually all academic majors and course of study at the University, such as Art, Biology, CIS, International Business, Journalism, Marketing, Public Administration and Urban Studies, Political Science, Social Work, Sociology and Spanish. The Freshman Learning Community, Perspectives On Social Conditions, also offers a service-learning component. The list of Service-Learning community sites includes:
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