Externships by Interdisciplinary Major, Other, & Concentration

 

Gender, Women's, & Sexuality Studies

Amanda Underwood '10 (GWSS/English); M.A., Strategic Communications – University of Minnesota

Company/Location: University of Minnesota, College of Design, St.Paul, MN

Position Title of Alumnus & Description: Alumni & Development Assistant - I work in the External Relations Office of the College of Design. I focus on coordinating communications, events, and fundraising initiatives for our alumni, professional, and public audiences. My position blends execution with strategy, research, and creative thinking.

Length of Stay & Dates Available: 5 days, March 25-29

Housing Available? If yes, where?: Yes, alumnus' home

What will you get from this externship: Because I work at a small college within a large, public university, there will be both small-scale and large-scale opportunities for a student to learn about higher education administration and nonprofit constituent relations. I work closely with a team of about 10, so the student will get one-on-one time with professionals from many different career paths and specializations in public communications (PR, alumni relations, fundraising, web, graphic design, etc). An average day could include attending strategy meetings, visiting the University of Minnesota Foundation, assisting with event prep, and helping craft email communications or content for the alumni magazine. I am a young alum, so the extern will get to see what work is like at the kind of job he or she could get just a few years out of college.

Additional Information: I am an M.A. candidate in the Strategic Communications Program at the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Minnesota. The extern is welcome to attend evening classes with me during his or her visit. My job might be of particular interest to English majors, Art History majors, or those considering museum studies, nonprofit management, fundraising, or marketing. We also have a dog (if anyone has allergies).

 

Lura Barber '03 (English/GWSS); M.P.P. focusing on Women and Public Policy – University of Minnesota

Company/Location: National Council on Aging, Washington D.C.

Position Title of Alumnus & Description: Senior Policy Analyst - I am responsible for leading the National Council on Aging's work to expand SNAP (i.e., Food Stamps) access to vulnerable and low-income older adults. In this role, I manage multiple statewide projects to increase participation in SNAP and other benefits among older adults through streamlining applications, engaging grassroots aging services providers, and identifying new resources for expanding outreach and enrollment capacity. I work with nonprofit organizations and government agencies at all levels, and with foundations and other private entities.

Length of Stay & Dates Available: 5 days, March 25-29

Housing Available? If yes, where?: Yes, alumnus' home

What will you get from this externship: By spending time at the National Council on Aging, the extern will see how nonprofit organizations work with government and the private sector to influence public policy in order to help low-income populations. The student will accompany me to meetings with policymakers and advocates in the areas of hunger, poverty, health, and social policy, and will be included, where feasible, in discussions of policy strategy. I will also provide the extern with a list of interesting briefings in D.C. that week, and if I know in advance their area of interest, I can try to set up informational interviews for him/her with my colleagues at NCOA and other organizations.

Additional Information: No smokers please.

 

Other - Liberal Arts & Healthcare Management

Todd Linden (not an alum), M.A., Health Care Administration; Post-graduate Fellowship – Iowa Methodist Medical Center

Company/Location: Grinnell Regional Medical Center, Grinnell, IA

Position Title of Alumna & Description: President/CEO - Work with the Board of Directors and executive team carrying out policy, managing the budget, developing the strategic plan, and overseeing the quality of services provided by GRMC.

Length of Stay & Dates Available: Flexible, Flexible

Housing Available? If yes, where?: Yes, in your own residence hall room

What will you get from this externship: Observe a variety of meetings with the board of directors and medical staff as well as variety of administrative meetings at all levels of the organization. Work as a member of the team on some project.

 

Environmental Studies

Kirpal Singh '97 (History/Environment Studies); J.D. - University of Denver Sturm College of Law

Company/Location: Colorado Trial Association, Denver, CO

Position Title of Alumnus & Description: Director of Legislative Affairs - Manage the political and electoral work and conduct research on a variety of legal issues for this specialty bar association.

Length of Stay & Dates Available: 5 days, Flexible

Housing Available? If yes, where?: Maybe, alumnus' home

What will you get from this externship: The hope is that the extern can learn the ins and outs of a membership association with a robust political/electoral program, as well as a significant educational and social component. The Colorado General Assembly will be in session and the extern will assist me and our lobbyists with research requests as well as shadow us at the Capitol. I hope to give the extern a good sense of the political world at the state level in what has been characterized as a purple state.

Additional Information: Extern needs to read the book The Blueprint by Adam Schrager and Rob Witwer prior to the start of the externship. http://www.amazon.com/Blueprint-Democrats-Colorado-Republicans-Everywhere/dp/1936218003