This page is presented as a resource for students preparing to take the MSCED Internship Course. Familiarizing oneself with this information will help contribute to a high-quality internship experience.
Internships are usually project-based, meaning that students will define projects to complete while serving as interns. A student who is employed in a full-time job may elect to complete a community and economic development project that is related to his/her current position, but that goes above-and-beyond the normal job responsibilities. (A current job description will be required from students choosing to complete internships at their place of employment.)
Internship Process
Securing an internship is a student-driven process. The successful internship student will complete the following steps:
Prior to the Start of the Semester:
- Discuss internship interests with CED 6370 Internship Coordinator, and begin making contact with potential internship sponsors. Students are encouraged to download and use the MSCED Internship Packet_Spring2015 before and during the course of the Internship. This packet will provide valuable information, as well as required course documents, for you and your Internship Supervisor.
- Secure an internship sponsor, identify an internship project, and seek approval from the Internship Coordinator for your project.
- Register for CED 6370 course.
During the Semester of the Internship:
- Immediately complete the Contract for Intership, which must be signed by the student, the Internship Supervisor, and the Internship Coordinator. You must also complete the Project Description, which is outlined in your Course Syllabus. These two items must be returned to the Internship Coordinator during the first week of class, and no other course assignments will be accepted until that has been completed and approved.
- Complete all course requirements as specified in the MSCED Internship_Spring2015_Course Syllabus.
Possible Internship Sponsors
Students are encouraged to seek an internship that aligns with their interests in the field of community and economic development. Possible sponsor organizations might include:
- Community Development Corporations
- Neighborhood Housing Services
- NonProfit Housing Development Groups
- Community Action Agencies
- Community Development Financial Institutions
- Community-based Organizations
- Public Housing Resident Management Corporations
- Job Training/Placement Organizations
- NonProfit Enterprise Development Organizations
- YouthBuild Groups
- Community Land Trusts
- Community Lending Departments at local banks
- City and County Community Development Departments
- State Community/Economic Development Agencies
- Foundations affiliated with Affordable Housing, Community Building
- Consulting Firms focused on Community Planning
- Neighborhood Design Centers
- Regulatory Agencies
- Elected Officials–Federal, State, and Local
- City and County Planning Departments
- Empowerment Zone Agencies
- Land Use Agencies
- Federal Agencies that work with Housing, Community Development, or Workforce Development
- Faith-based Groups
- Community Health Clinics
- Youth-related organizations/Leadership Classes
- Community Art Groups
- Hospitals/Other large institutions with Community-based jobs
Prior MSCED Internship Projects
Below is a list of previously completed MSCED internship projects. Note that many of these projects were completed by full-time professionals and were related to their line of work. Nonetheless, the list may provide the student some insight on the types of projects that could be completed.
- Organized job fair for newly released prisoners to increase their employability and reduce recidivism.
- Assisted a housing organization in its application for New Market Tax Credits
- Helped organize flu shot clinic and conducted research on the impact of influenza on community health and workforce productivity
- Researched LEED design and certification as a development trend while working on a LEED development project
- Brownfield assessment and redevelopment project–City of Conway
- Implementation of strategic plan objective (beatification project) in downtown Leslie, AR
- Comparison of leadership development programs in Arkansas
- Research on HUD’s NSP1, NSP2, and CDBG programs, with a comparison between funded projects in AR and GA.
- Economic impact of international students in Arkansas, with a focus on central AR
- Survey of Terrebone Leadership Class alumni association, with recommendations to the board on how to revitalize alumni involvement
For further questions concerning the MSCED Internship Course, please contact the MSCED Internship Instructor:
Jessica Breaux
MSCED Internship Coordinator
Department of Geography – University of Central Arkansas
201 Donaghey, Burdick 318
Conway, AR 72035
450-3164 or jebro2082@gmail.com
Michael Yoder, Associate Professor
MSCED Program Chair
Department of Geography – University of Central Arkansas
201 Donaghey, Burdick 318 D
Conway, AR 72034
501) 450-5638 or myoder@uca.edu