FAQs: Frequently-Asked Questions about the Field Experience Program

Setting up an Internship

1) What is the difference between an Independent Study course and an FEP?

An Independent Study (or Directed Reading) course involves conducting primary or secondary research with a faculty member and is independent of an outside organization. While an FEP internship may involve conducting research, the student is working for an organization rather than independently or on a faculty member's research. The FEP intern's experience is enriched by participation in the FEP seminar and by receiving supervision and support from a Field Supervisor, a Teaching Fellow and the student's program Faculty Supervisor. The student enrolled in an Independent Study is supervised solely by a faculty member.

2) How does a student arrange a Field Experience Program (FEP) internship?

Read the FEP website in its entirety and review the handouts. The handouts outline the steps and forms used in the process, including the specific FEP enrollment dates and deadlines. We encourage you to treat the search for an internship site as you would a job search: bring copies of your resume everywhere, call different sites, follow up promptly, set up interviews as soon as possible (the deadline comes quickly at the beginning of each semester). We will help as much as we can, but the responsibility to find a fulfilling placement rests with you!

3) What FEP resources are available to help students find internships?

Online:

The Hired database can be used to search for current and past years’ FEP internship postings.

In the office:

*Postings from previous years are also available in hard copy in the Career Services Office, Longfellow 1. They are organized in twelve binders, each binder dealing with a particular type of work setting/industry.

*Additional binders have internship synopses, detailing work done by interns in previous placements as well as site evaluations. Each entry lists the name of the intern, the name of the site, the intern's title, and a brief description of the intern's work at the site, compiled for each semester from 1990-2006.

4) Can you respond to past years' internship postings?

Yes, but it is important to notice the date the opportunity was posted so that you know if you are responding to a current posting or to an outdated one; it will affect how you want to initiate your inquiry with the contact person.

If you are responding to a posting from a previous year, simply explain that you saw they had posted back in 2005, for example, articulate some of your interests and inquire about the possibility of there being current opportunities available.

5) Can you find your own internship site?

Yes. About one-third of each year's interns find their own new sites. However, we ask that you discuss a new site with FEP staff when developing your internship plan, to ensure that the site meets FEP program requirements. It is also a good idea to bring an FEP Brochure and a copy of “Helpful Tips for Field Supervisors (124KB pdf)” with you to share with your potential site supervisor. You can start with your own idea for a project, and/or an organization that you think might be a good site for meeting your needs. Often the best resource is word of mouth. Speak to your professors and friends about your interests -- the “Harvard network” is no myth.

6) What kind of commitment should a student be prepared to make?

Plan to spend the equivalent of one workday (8 hours) per week on site, for a total of 110 hours per semester. Sometimes students spend more time (this is optional) depending on what they want to get out of the experience. In addition, you are required to participate in a five-session seminar series, participate in an on-site mid-semester progress evaluation. Your individualized final assignment will be developed in conjunction with your Field Supervisor and Teaching Fellow, and approved by the Faculty Supervisor. Think of the internship (S-997) as a custom-designed course, and commit yourself to it as you would to any course.

7) What should a student say to potential Field Supervisors?

We recommend that students read the following 3 items and then review them with potential Field Supervisors at your first meeting: the FEP brochure; the Helpful Tips for Field Supervisors (124KB pdf); and the required FEP enrollment forms found on Hired . The handout for supervisors helps to explain what Harvard expects practitioners in the field to provide in return for your services. You may be able to review all of the Internship Contract details at this meeting, or it may be desirable for you to return to the site.

Your field experience should provide you with a valuable learning experience. Before committing to a site, ask as many questions as you have about a proposed internship -- in a sense you are interviewing a potential Field Supervisor as much as he or she is interviewing you. When you speak with a potential Field Supervisor, be clear about the type of work you wish to undertake, how much time you will spend on site, and your specific proposed work schedule.

8) Can a student get paid, or use work-study funds, in an FEP internship?

Yes. See the separate FEP handout, Work-Study Information, (199KB pdf) for details on eligibility and arrangements. Some students who take on internships get paid for their efforts. Some placement listings specifically indicate whether and how much the organization will pay HGSE students. We encourage you to inquire about getting paid when you speak to potential Field Supervisors. Work-Study funds can be used. NOTE:
some work-study jobs would not be intellectually challenging enough to offer you a substantial learning opportunity. Please make sure that if work-study funds are used you have planned a graduate-level learning project.

9) Who is my Faculty Supervisor?

Eileen McGowan, Program Director, will serve as the faculty supervisor for most FEPs. In some instances, an alternative faculty supervisor will be assigned. You do NOT need to locate one on your own.

10) What are the academic requirements of the FEP internship?

Students are required to attend five seminars led by the FEP Team: a mentoring seminar run by the Program Director and attended by the Field Supervisors, a career development seminar facilitated by the Career Services office, and three small group seminars run by individual TF's. Some written work may be required in conjunction with these seminars. Final assignments will be determined by the TF and Faculty Supervisor.

11) Must every internship be approved by the FEP staff?

Yes. You will complete an Internship Contract in conjunction with your Field Supervisor and bring a copy of it to the meeting with your Teaching Fellow to discuss your placement arrangements and be granted approval to do your internship for credit under S-997.

Evaluation and Credit

12) How does a student get evaluated for S-997?

At mid-semester, each intern will participate in a three-way progress meeting at the site with the Field Supervisor and Teaching Fellow. This conference will provide an opportunity to assess advancement towards individual goals and calibrate expectations for the remainder of the experience. At the end of the semester, your Field Supervisor will complete a Performance Evaluation. Typically, students and Field Supervisors meet to discuss the semester's work and performance. Your Field Supervisor's Evaluation form is submitted online; we send a copy to The TF reviews this report from your supervisor and will evaluate the academic component of your work, and turn in your grade form.

13) How are grades given for the course?

FEP credit will be given on a Satisfactory/No credit basis ONLY.

14) May a student accept an FEP placement without being registered for S-997?

All HGSE students may consult the FEP listings for ideas on internship placements, even if they want to pursue an internship not for credit. In this case, the student does not need to fill out FEP forms or gain approval from the office to do the internship.

15) Can a one-semester internship be extended into the second semester?

Yes, if the second semester's work will involve a new learning experience. You will need to complete the same enrollment process as the first semester, have the internship approved by the FEP staff, and re-register. Performance Evaluations will be required at the end of each semester.

Teaching Fellows

16) What is the role of the Teaching Fellow?

Teaching Fellows are advanced doctoral students who meet regularly with FEP interns during the semester and serve as liaisons between the site and HGSE. The TF approves the Internship Contract and Learning Agreement, facilitates seminar sessions, conducts a mid-semester site visit, and reads/grades final assignments in conjunction with the Faculty Supervisor. Additionally, the TF holds weekly office hours for interns who wish to discuss their progress in the field placement, reflect on the experience, or desire one-on-one contact for any other reason. Beyond this formal role, Teaching Fellows serve as a resource and a support -- someone students can and should turn to throughout the semester if problems arise.