Internships & Volunteers
The Raven Scholar program offers internships for credit and volunteer opportunities for undergraduate and graduate level students.
Undergraduate Student Opportunities
This opportunity is highly recommended to individuals pursuing degrees in fields related to Pre-Health, Education and Psychology but is open to all majors. The Peer-Mentor internship is for credit through PSYC 498. Potential applicants can reach out to Leslie Gwartney to learn more: leslieag@uidaho.edu
Peer-Mentor Interns provide support for Raven Scholars by assisting in the development of executive functioning skills (organizational and time management,) in addition to advancing interpersonal and social skills of individuals through conversations, games, puzzles, exploring campus and monthly organized events. Peer-Mentors may have scheduled drop-in hours, or be assigned to work with Raven Scholars one-on-one or in groups. Some Peer-Mentors may also deliver classroom supports for the INTR-101 course, instructed by the program staff. Occasionally Peer-Mentors may be assigned or given volunteer opportunities to work outside the Raven Scholars for tabling events, conferences, fund raising and other program related tasks.
This internship is an excellent opportunity for anyone looking to gain some hands-on experience in working with individuals on the autism spectrum or anyone with learning differences. It is worthy resume material and provides an additional certification for those who meet the criteria (see below). It will allow interns to explore their professional skills in working with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and provides unique challenges as well as being a fun, engaging and enriching experience.
Credits and Certification
Peer-Mentors may elect to take between 1-3 credit hours per semester through PSYC 498. Each credit hour requires a minimum of 3 hours per week. In addition, Peer-Mentors should expect to spend up to one hour on training and/or supervision each week. With the Associate Director and PSYC 498 Instructor approval interns may return for multiple semesters for up to six credits total (however, only three are considered upper-division credits). Most Peer-Mentors elect to take 1-2 credits per semester.
In addition to PSYC 498 course credit, Peer-Mentors are eligible to earn the College of Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) International Mentor Training Program Certification. Peer-Mentors must put in a minimum of 50 hours during a 15-week semester and complete all supervision assignments satisfactorily to earn the CRLA Certification.
Program Volunteers:
Students wishing to simply volunteer in the Raven Scholars program will go through the same application, interview and background check process (but will not register for PSYC 498).
Graduate Student Interns:
Graduate students who are looking for field experience for their MSW, or practicum credits should contact Associate Director, Leslie Gwartney at leslieag@uidaho.edu. In this role you will have an opportunity to gain hands on experience through Raven Scholars working with diverse learners in an academic and social skills coaching role, while learning case management techniques and motivational interviewing skills. You must be approved for credit through your primary institution, in addition to completing an application and background check process with the program.