Future Information Professionals Internship Program

Future Information Professionals Internship for Undergraduate Students

Description of Program

ODU undergraduate students who are interested in careers in library and information studies were invited to apply for the Future Information Professionals Internship program for the 2022-2023 academic year. Twelve students were selected for internships this year. The internship pays $4000, distributed across the academic year. During the fall semester our interns will learn about the profession by attending the Virginia Library Association Conference, visiting a local library, and attending an informational session to learn more about working in libraries. They will be paired with a coach who is a current ODU graduate student who will support you throughout the year. In the spring semester they will work 10 hours per week in the ODU Libraries, focusing on a project of their choosing. Interns will be provided with training to develop an ePortfolio to showcase your project. This project prioritizes BIPOC (black, indigenous, and people of color) students and students who are members of other marginalized groups.

Requirements:

• Must be a full-time student who is registered for fall 2022 classes and planning to register for spring classes 2023
• Must be committed to participating in all of the activities listed below, including working 10 hours per week at the ODU Libraries during the spring 2023 semester
• Good academic standing 

You must be committed to participating in:

Fall semester:

• In-person kick-off informational meeting at Perry Library, Thursday, September 22, 12:15-1:30 PM
• Virtual meeting: What to expect at the Virginia Library Association (VLA) Conference, tentatively scheduled for Thursday, October 13, 6-7:30 PM
• In-person attendance at the Virginia Library Association (VLA) Conference in Norfolk, VA, Wednesday-Friday, October 19-21, 2022 (all expenses paid, tour of Slover Library, time with MLIS coach, and networking session with the VLA Librarians of Color Forum included)
• Virtual session: Careers in Libraries (Thursday, November 10, 6-7:30 PM)
• In-person session: Introduction to working in the ODU Libraries, identify areas of interest for spring placement (Tuesday, November 29, 12:15-1:30 PM)

Spring Semester:

• Work 10 hours per week for 15 weeks in a department within the ODU Libraries. In addition to working within a department, during that work time you will:
  • Assist with department work
  • Attend impact project virtual informational session (date/time TBD)
  • Complete an impact project with the support of your department supervisor
  • Attend in-person ePortfolio workshop
  • Complete ePortfolio that showcases your impact project
  • Attend 1-hour virtual graduate school informational session (date/time TBD)
  • Attend in-person impact project showcase (date/time TBD)

Stipend Information

$1000 will be paid during the fall semester split across two payments

$3000 will be paid during the spring semester split across four payments

Additional Support Provided

• Coaching in how to apply for graduate school
• Student support grants to pay for unexpected expenses that may occur during the year
• Funding for impact project supplies
• Refreshments/meals at in-person working meetings

Questions? Contact Lucy Wittkower at lrush@odu.edu.

This program is funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Grant. The accepted proposal can be viewed on the agency website.

Project Investigators:

PI: Lucy Wittkower, lrush@odu.edu

Co PI: Sue Kimmel, skimmel@odu.edu

Co PI: Leanne Hillery, lhillery@odu.edu