Students are required to complete the following topics in their journals. Journal
entries must be typed and double spaced.
Prior to starting your internship: Write four goals you have for your internship. Such goals may
include: what you hope to learn, skills you would like to gain, who you hope to help,
responsibilities you would like to be given, etc. Explain how these goals relate to your major,
major courses, and/or your career aspirations. Reflect on why this internship is important to you.
* This paper will be due at the first meeting (be sure to keep a copy for your records). Any
exceptions must be arranged with the internship coordinator before the meeting.
Week 1: Set up an initial meeting with your supervisor. During this meeting, discuss your goals
for your internship and plan ways to accomplish these goals. (If you must alter your goals after
this meeting, make mention of the change in your journal entry.) Write about the history of the
agency, types of job positions in the agency, types of degrees or certificates required to work
there, salary range, and job satisfaction. Is this a place you would like to work in the future? Why
or Why not?
Week 2: Discuss why you decided to intern at this particular organization. What is it about the
organization or agency that interests you? Does it relate to a career in which you would like to
continue?
Week 3: Describe the agency. What does it look like? What type of population does it serve?
What kind of policies does it have? What type of dress is required? Describe your
responsibilities.
Weeks 4-7: Discuss and reflect on your daily or weekly activities. Give specific examples of
what you are doing and/or relate stories or experiences. Do you like what you are doing? Why or
why not?
Midterm: Describe how you are continuing to work toward your goals. Have you completed any
goals? Which ones? How did you complete them? What are you learning about yourself from
this internship? What are you learning about working in a professional environment? How does
it relate to your major and your course work at the University?
Weeks 9-14: Continue to discuss and reflect on your daily or weekly activities. Give specific
examples and/or relate stories or experiences. What do you like and/or dislike about what you are
doing?
Final Week: Describe how you completed your goals. Were there any goals you did not fulfill?
Why? How have these goals helped you in your internship? Is there anything you would change
about your internship? What did you like about your internship? Would you ever intern there
again? Why or why not? What do you feel you have gained from this experience?*
University of Utah. Journals. In Internship Guidelines. (see links)
