MSW Intern

Position Title: MSW Intern 

Direct Supervisor: Learner Support Manager (LSM) 

Location: Newark, New Jersey

The Learner Support Team encompasses both Licensed Social Workers and Financial Coaches that commits to social justice and economic empowerment to drive collaboration and partnership with our learners (students). At Per Scholas, we know that emotional and personal well-being is not static and integral to professional success.  As such, we have incorporated an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) model into the experience of our learners through the Learner Support Team. The Learner Support Team works to:

• Engage with our learners across multiple campuses from a strength-based and solutions-focused perspective
• Collaborate to identify resources and direct referrals that are responsive to the unique needs of our learners. 
• Research, cultivate, and strengthen additional resources and community partnerships across regional markets. 
• Navigate through challenges related to public benefit programs and social services and collaborate with learners to bolster self-advocacy skills

Meet programmatic goals and compliance as required by Per Scholas’ partners and funders

Summary of Responsibilities

MSW Interns are vital and equally part of the driving change in supporting key LST initiatives. Interns will provide comprehensive programmatic support, driving specific short-team projects designed to improve and refine the robust MSW Field Placement program at Per Scholas. Projects that align towards enhancing and engaging enrolled learners at Per Scholas to seek support and services from 

LST Interns will learn how to build and bridge services, work and cultivate relationships across multi-disciplinary teams and adapt and work alongside learners on a 1:1 basis to provide individual and specific success planning for both enrolled learners at Per Scholas and the alumni community. The Learner Support Team strives to innovate and integrate support that caters to the learners needs and successful completion of their select training program from pre-enrolment to alumni status. Interns are provided the opportunity and choice to expand direct 1:1 service work towards other methods of assessment, intervention and engagement. 

Interns will learn: case management, workshop facilitation, one-on-one direct service support, lead learner group sessions, project management and dive into local community-based resource acquisition and create new intervention tools and projects with a focus on strengthening learners personal wellness. 

Eligibility

The Per Scholas MSW Internships are available to MSW and BSW students. All interns will be monitored directly by their Field Work Supervisor, and that supervisory relationship will continue throughout your time in placement which will be contingent on the length required from your school program to fulfill all field placement requirements. The minimum time interns are expected to dedicate is ten weeks or one semester. If there be any changes either to the student’s field placement status as deemed by their school program, the student must keep their supervisor updated on such changes that impact their involvement and work at Per Scholas. This includes any new updates, guidance and requirements initiated by the school program that either the student needs to fulfill and/or with/from their supervisor. Such examples may include change of field placement days, or field hours.

Students will have the opportunity to check in with your anticipated supervisor before a decision is made to ensure this placement is a right fit for you and more importantly aligns with your ideal placement goals. It is important to clarify if your school program requires in person, hybrid or remote work to ensure we can honor that requirement. During that time, you can address any questions about your role, the role of the Learner Support Team, supervision and/or Per Scholas. It’s important for us to understand what your needs are, and if it is in fact that this placement may not be the best fit for you, we appreciate you taking the time to understand what we do on the Learner Support Team and hopefully help you in your pursuit to locate an ideal placement.

If a student believes Per Scholas to be a right fit, including the supervisor, the supervisor will coordinate next steps to initiate the onboarding process with Per Scholas HR and People Team to get you approved, screened and eligible to utilize all Per Scholas platforms and engage with our learners..

Responsibilities

Throughout the internship, Interns will:

(1) Revise and update MSW Field Placement Intern Onboarding Playbook:

• Revise
• PS Platform Use Guides
• Best Uses for LST
• LST Process Guides 
• LST FAQ
• On-Going LST Intern Projects/Initiatives
• Resource Guides
• Small Groups 

(2) Administrative support:

• LST Expert Panels
• Women in Tech Initiative (NY specific)
• Unite Us Platform Rollout
• Resource Guide

(3) Support Market-Driven and Customized Cohorts:

• Provide 1:1 meetings and case management support
• Facilitate Wellness Workshops
• Create LMS (Canvas) posts for learner engagement

Supervision

Interns will be supervised by their direct supervisor during their academic year field placement. Interns may work with other Per Scholas staff dependent on the project work. You and your supervisor will coordinate to meet on an agreed-upon cadence weekly (30-60 min). Interns are invited to provide a set agenda prior to meetings to go over progress with field assignments and ensure both intern and supervisor are in compliance with expectations from your school field placement. Discussions will center on tracking progress, reviewing questions/concerns/challenges, and providing feedback on projects and support with any 1:1 direct learner involvement.

Group supervision and opportunities to work with other interns will also be available depending on scheduling. Within supervision, supervisors will want to hear from you and will encourage you to create and pursue new projects as you acclimate into your role and duties within the Learner Support Team. Supervision will be the place to collaborate and bring your ideas forward to discuss your vision and if possible, walk through implementation of your idea(s) into practice.  

Compensation and Length of Internship

• Unpaid; 1 term minimum 

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