MSA Senate speaker works to get internship credit for senators
Specific departments would have different requirements for the internship.
Published Nov. 20, 2009
Missouri Students Association Senate Speaker Amanda Shelton is working to get internship credit for those involved in MSA Senate.
Shelton said she has been working on the internship project for about three months, along with Legislative Director Cody Ford.
“I am currently writing brief descriptions to advertise the opportunity to students with those interests,” Shelton said. “I have also contacted the marketing and management departments in the business school and will be discussing the opportunity further with them in the immediate future.”
Shelton said so far the strategic communications department and the Office of Service-Learning have responded favorably to the internship. The internship would not be eligible for political science department credit.
Barbara Willis, internship coordinator at the Civics Leader Internship Program, said nothing has been solidified yet. The Office of Service-Learning was recently contacted about the program.
Shelton has drafted a rubric for the program. The rubric is subject to revision by individual departments based off of their own requirements.
According to the rubric, all internships would require the participant to select a Senate committee or study area of interest; participate in cabinet, Senate and committee meetings; work eight hours per week in the Senate office; and participate in weekly progress discussions with the Senate speaker.
The rubric includes further details for general internships, business internships and strategic communication and marketing internships.
“This rubric will likely change, but it will provide an overview of some of our original ideas and motivations for the project,” Shelton said.
Shelton said each department would have its own guidelines if someone wanted to get credit through that specific department.
“Any individual who is interested would be directed to their major department to get approval for credit,” Shelton said. “I am contacting departments now so as to ease this process for students, however.”
Shelton said MSA had a large number of experienced members in the last graduating class. MSA is in a unique position when it comes to its need for leadership.
“As Senate speaker, I find myself in the position of recruiting new members often,” Shelton said. “But the more behind-the-scenes effort is actually working with newer members to develop the next leaders for MSA and MU.”
Shelton said the Senate speaker's facilitating effort takes many forms, including editing new senator legislation, helping members start on projects and general mentoring.
“Students within and outside MSA will now have the opportunity to work on projects that directly affect the well being of their peers and colleagues while earning academic credit,” Shelton said.
Shelton said the Missouri Students Association has long been a vital learning tool and natural classroom for future leaders. Students will now be able to get even more out of such an experience with the added reflection and project requirements for an internship.
“These are invaluable benefits for the career-motivated or graduate school-bound student,” Shelton said.
