Social Change and Development Internships 

For further information regarding the Social Change and Development Internship Program, please contact 

ANDREW AUSTIN

Social Change/Development

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay

MAC Hall A326

2420 Nicolet Drive 

Green Bay, WI 54311-7001

(920) 465-2359

austina@uwgb.edu

Dr. Austin consults with a student.

University Home Page

Social Change and Development homepage

Social Change and Development is an interdisciplinary program at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay

Last edited: 10/03/2005

The Department of Social Change and Development (Social Change and Development) believes that a crucial component of the educational experience involves student learning to apply knowledge gained in the classroom in practical situations. Through practice, students discover the usefulness of social theory and method. To meet this need for practical know-how, Social Change and Development has developed an internship program and is now placing most of its students in various organizations covering a wide range of interests.

Social Change and Development's internship program is rooted in the idea that the modern university in a democratic society should play a role in preparing students to participate actively in shaping their communities. Internships encourage students to think seriously about what they have learned in the classroom in the context of everyday activities meant to bring about progressive social change. Through its students, the university increases its presence in community life.

In light of the fact that so many Americans have become distressingly apathetic and increasingly disinclined to join civic organizations and share in political activities, Social Change and Development's emphasis on democratic participation takes on a special significance. The extent of political disaffection may be attributable, in part, to a sense that politics is too far removed from the daily realities facing most Americans. Internships provide access to local politics so that students may feel that they can make a difference.

And, of course, the Social Change and Development internship program helps students prepare to take their place in society upon graduation from UW-Green Bay. Students, by working directly with community organizations, develop ideas about where they want to work in the future, and they can develop further the skills and experiences that will prove useful throughout their careers.

Nuts and Bolts

The basic requirements for doing an internship in Social Change and Development are as follows:

• Qualified students must have a minimum of 45 credit hours prior to doing an internship.
• Students must perform 45 hours of service for each hour of academic credit, up to a maximum of six credit hours.
• Internships can be undertaken during either the Fall or Spring semesters, or during the Summer.
• Students are expected to keep a daily journal of activities.
• Students are expected to write an 8-12 page issue-oriented paper on a topic to be worked out with the sponsoring professor (for internships worth more than three credits, the paper will be proportionately longer).
• Students will also write a 2-3 page paper summarizing what they have learned during the internship.
• The field supervisor will submit a written evaluation of the student's performance in the internship.

Internship opportunities

Social Change and Development has access to a wide range of organizations in the Green Bay community. What follows is a partial list of internship sites that may be available for Social Change and Development students (more are soon to be added, so check back frequently!):

• Southeast Asian Community Center (concerned with easing the transition for Southeast Asian immigrants in Green Bay)
• N.E.W. Community Shelter (a shelter for homeless men)
• Crossroads (a shelter for homeless women and families)
• Self Help of Wisconsin (working with prison inmates)
• The Center Project (concerned with HIV- and AIDS-related issues)
• Family Violence Center (a shelter for women and families facing domestic violence)
• Ethan House (a home for young males who have experienced problems at home or with the law)
• Sanger B. Powers Correctional Center (a minimum security facility aimed at rehabilitation)
• Neville Public Museum (concerned with Wisconsin history)
• Heritage Hill State Park (concerned with Wisconsin history)
• Legal Services of Northeastern Wisconsin (provision of legal services for indigent clients)
• Victim-Witness Assistance Program (a branch of the Brown County Prosecutor's Office)
• The Salvation Army (aimed at helping poor and homeless people get back on their feet)
• St. Vincent De Paul (Paul's Pantry) (provides food for the poor and homeless)