About the IUP
Anthropology Internship Program

The Internship Program of the Anthropology Department at Indiana University of Pennsylvania is well organized to give each student the opportunity to complete an anthropology internship that is of interest to him or her.  Many students choose to earn part of their credits towards graduation through an internship placement.  Regardless of the curriculum track the student selects, it is possible to arrange an internship which will enhance his or her learning experiences by providing an opportunity to acquire new skills, develop professional contacts, and gain first hand knowledge of potential workplaces.  Recent placements have included museum laboratories, ongoing research projects, and human service agencies which deal with multi-cultural clients.

Internship Advantages for Students:

	Gaining a real-world perspective.
	Promotes the application of anthropological knowledge and theory, e.g. archaeology, historical preservation, refugee resettlement, analysis of organizational structures, comparisons of missions of organizations and their practice, etc.
	Development of specific job competencies, e.g. learning how to implement research, develop and organize workshops, and write internal policy documents.
	Learning skills that are part of a liberal studies education, e.g. critical thinking and analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, integration of various approaches to an issue, and identifying options for action.
	Development of interpersonal skills, e.g. how to interact and secure an internship site, how to interact with co-workers,  and institute change in an effective manner.
	Development of research skills, e.g. practicing and gaining new research skills,  and the ability to organize and communicate research results.
	Networking and learning what career slots are available and what is needed to apply and secure a position.  Decision making is enhanced, e.g. discovering if this work is for you.
	Enculturates students into the professional demeanor.
	Builds initiative as students learn at the outset that the success of their internship is in large part dependent upon their institutional research, groundwork, and negotiation of a work plan.

External evaluation of student performance; successful students secure references from beyond the pool of department faculty.

Research demonstrates that students are more motivated and do better academically after completing an internship. 70% are eventually employed by their internship organization.

Students who wish to undertake an internship must meet certain minimum grade point requirements and be a junior.  Internships are arranged jointly by the student and the internship coordinator, and require a fair amount of advance planning.  The current intern coordinator is Dr. Laurence Kruckman (tel. 357-3935, office: G12d McElhaney Hall).

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