National Convention Graduate Internship Program

Appy for this position

The National Convention Graduate Intern Program:

• Connects graduate students in student affairs programs generally and student activities specifically to the National Association for Campus Activities
  
• Provides opportunities for graduate students to be mentored by student activities professionals who have been in the field for at least five years, with a focus on developing mentors from the pool of previous NACA Board members and other leadership
  
• Teaches interns about NACA and the National Convention program through a combination of experiential (i.e. volunteer) opportunities and educational activities
  
• Allows individuals to participate in professional development seminars on topics relevant to graduate students interested in pursuing careers in student activities
  
• Provides opportunities for interns to present educational sessions to a national audience
  

Mentors will be assigned to each graduate intern. Mentors must have been in the field at least five years to be considered for this role. Duties of the mentors include the following:

• Attendance at an introductory meeting the first day of the National Convention
  
• Attendance at the Professional Development Luncheon (note: mentors will need to pay the registration fee for the Luncheon)
  
• Scheduling of other informal times to interact with the graduate intern (note: at least two informal times should be scheduled)
  
• Attendance and participation at a networking and Q&A session for the Board of Directors and Past Board Chairs and the Graduate Interns
  
• Providing insight and counsel on how to become an effective student activities professional
  
• Participation as a co-presenter with the graduate intern in an educational session for the Convention
  
• Conveying the importance of professional development through volunteering with NACA
  

Graduate interns will be invited to participate in the Leadership Reception; Professional Development Luncheon (tickets provided); Board of Directors and Past Board Chairs networking session and Q&A. All of these events provide an opportunity for networking between interns and professionals. Meetings also provide an opportunity for interns to learn how NACA works.

In addition:

• Graduate interns will be required to co-present one educational session at the National Convention with their mentor. Each year, a designated number of educational sessions will be reserved for graduate intern/mentor presentations (note: this will not exceed three sessions). As part of the intentional recruitment of educational sessions, graduate interns and mentors will be assigned topics based on the list of topical ideas generated by the National Convention Program Chair, the Chair of the Board of Directors and the Office. 
  
• Interns will attend two professional development workshops that are part of the Convention educational session offerings. 
  
• Volunteer roles will also be available for graduate interns. A maximum of five hours will be devoted to these volunteer roles. Projects can include the NACA Foundation fundraiser, assistance in the CO-OP Buying Center, registration and other duties.
  
• Educational opportunities for graduate interns will include: a guided backstage tour of showcase production; a tour of Convention registration and the CO-OP Buying Center; and the Board of Directors and Past Board Chairs networking session and Q&A.
  

Convention Registration
Up to seven Graduate Interns will receive complimentary registrations to the National Convention. In addition, Graduate Interns will receive complimentary tickets to attend the Professional Development Luncheon.