The Springfield Way Internship Program provides students from the Reynolds College
of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities with a meaningful internship experience that
balances learning and work. Interns are placed with community partners that foster
wellbeing in our community.
Program Details
The Springfield Way works with community partners to develop meaningful internship
experiences that benefit the community partner while offering a learning experience
that allows interns to understand Springfield more fully. In addition to the work
experience, students take an internship class that structures learning that augments
the work experience.
During the summer, interns work 20 hours per week for five weeks. Prior to the start
of the work, interns have a two-day opening conference. The last day is a closing
symposium which allows us 1) to recognize the contributions made by students and community
partners during the summer program and 2) to engage in program reflection which informs
the design of The Springfield Way.
Students are paid $15 per hour for the 100-hour internship, a total of $1,500. Eligible
students also receive an additional $250 to partially offset the cost of the internship
course.
For the program, students apply to be part of The Springfield Way cohort. Finalists
will be interviewed, and selected students are then matched with internship opportunities.
Eligibility
Students must be enrolled in an academic program (undergraduate or graduate) offered
by the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities.
SUMMER 2024
Program Dates
Opening Conference: May 29-31, 2024
Internship Dates: June 3 - July 11, 2024
Internship class meets Thursday mornings, 9-11 a.m.
Closing Symposium: July 12, 2024
Information Sessions
If you are interested in the program, please join us for an information session. The
information sessions are held in Siceluff Hall, Room 124. If you wish to join via
Zoom, email Alan Tinkler for the link.
Wednesday, February 21, 2024, 5-6 p.m.
Monday, February 26, 2024, 3-4 p.m.
Wednesday, March 6, 2024, 4-5 p.m.
Thursday, March 21, 2024, 4-5 p.m.
Tuesday, March 26, 2024, 2-3 p.m.
Wednesday, March 27, 2024, 3-4 p.m.
Application Process
To apply, students should email the following materials as attachments to AlanTinkler@MissouriState.edu. To assist with generating the materials, please use resources that are available
at MSU’s Career Center.
Cover letter. Please explain why the internship program appeals to you and how it aligns with your
academic/personal interests.
Résumé
References. Provide the name and contact information of two references to be contacted should
you be selected as a finalist.
Please note that you are applying to be part of The Springfield Way internship cohort.
Finalists will be interviewed, and successful finalists will be matched with one of
the internships. In your cover letter, please confirm your availability for the program
dates and indicate the internships that interest you, which will help during the matching
process.
The application deadline is March 29, 2024.
Internships
The Springfield Way has identified internships at the following community partners.
Each internship is designed to offer a meaningful learning experience while also building
organizational capacity.
To facilitate and promote the building of resilient children, healthy families, and
strong neighborhoods and communities through collaboration, programming and resource
development.
Resource Navigation Specialist
The Resource Navigation Specialist will assist direct service staff, including members
of the One Door program, and guests at the O’Reilly Center for Hope in documenting,
navigating, accessing, and enrolling in a variety of mainstream and housing-related
resources.
Project Management Intern
Ozarks Alliance to End Homelessness (OAEH): This on-site internship at the O’Reilly
Center for Hope is orientated around the Continuum of Care (CoC), Ozarks Alliance
to End Homelessness (OAEH), for Springfield/Greene, Chrisitan, and Webster Counties.
This internship will provide the intern with the opportunity to engage in federal
grant management and writing, strategic planning, event planning, and research. If
the intern desires, there are opportunities for direct service through shadowing experiences.
The intern will work closely with the Continuum of Care Coordinator in an administrative
capacity on a variety of projects and initiatives for the Ozarks Alliance to End Homelessness.
Our programs aim to increase a family’s household income, social capital, and community
engagement while decreasing isolation.
Document Scanning and File Management Intern
We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented intern to join our team and support
our document management process. The primary responsibility of the intern will be
to scan physical documents and convert them into electronic files. Additionally, the
intern will be responsible for organizing and uploading these electronic files to
our server for efficient data management based on established guidelines. This role
requires that the intern collaborates with team members to maintain an organized and
easily accessible document repository. They will also assist in routine maintenance
of scanning equipment and troubleshoot any technical issues that may arise.
Housing Specialist Intern
The Housing Specialist will research area landlords and property management companies
with the end goal of ensuring coaches have a list of reputable housing options to
refer to members. This role will be responsible for connecting with the approved parties
to foster a relationship between the housing entity and RISE.
Marketing/Social Media Support Intern
We are looking for a compassionate and driven individual who is excited to work with
a wide array of different people. The Marketing/Social Media intern will learn the
foundations of social media marketing and content creation for a nonprofit within
the Springfield area. They will be responsible for curating content and filming/photographing
events and programming at The Fairbanks. The intern will also assist in editing films,
photos, podcast episodes, script writing, and other tasks as needed.
RISE Expansion Support Intern
We are looking for a resourceful and detail-oriented individual with a passion for
underserved families and communities. This role will include assessing community strengths
and needs and potential community ‘champions’ for new RISE (Reaching Independence
through Support and Education) Expansion program sites. When these are identified,
this role will assist with planning the implementation of the program in those locations,
as well as the evaluation of the program. Additional responsibilities include assisting
with marketing, advertising, and media outreach for RISE Expansion; helping create
a survey system for potential new sites and renewing sites; and assisting with data
collection and management of Expansion locations where appropriate.
Youth Support Intern
We are looking for a compassionate and driven individual who has a positive outlook
and willingness to be a team player. The Youth Program Support intern will support
our Youth Development Coordinator with programming, coordinating volunteers for activities
and projects, and writing a curriculum focused on financial literacy, mental health,
and daily life skills. These curriculums will be used for not only our Drew Lewis
Foundation site but have the potential to be integrated into our Expansion site curriculum
as well.
To remove barriers and empower independent living for all people with disabilities.
The role of the Transition Housing Specialist is to work alongside our transition
team to help identify housing that is available for those preparing to move out of
a nursing home, network with landlords and managers to build relationships that will
help empower: abilities moving forward, develop a housing accessibility check system
that would help future volunteers perform this role. This is a supportive role that
would entail on-site visits to apartments, working at our main office with phone calling,
data entry and computer work using Microsoft Excel and Word.
Everyone deserves a place to call home. The Kitchen has been helping folks find their
way home since 1983.
The Success Story Specialist will conduct interviews with participants in The Kitchen’s
programs, case managers, and other individuals; and write human interest stories for
use in print and digital media.
To promote affordable, universal and accessible housing through education, advocacy,
and collaboration.
The role of the Media Specialist will be to create various social media templates;
pre-schedule monthly meeting announcements; research, create, and design “Universal,
Accessible Housing Design” information packet; brainstorm best practices for creating
accessible informational videos; and construct a pilot study to discern outreach effectiveness.
For more information, please reach out to Dr. Alan Tinkler or Dr. Katie Hoegeman.
Person item component: AlanTinkler@missouristate.edu
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Person item component: CHoegeman@missouristate.edu
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Donate to support The Springfield Way
Donor support allows us to fund the internship stipends and tuition support, so please
direct some of the charitable giving to "The Springfield Way."
Giving via cash or credit card is a convenient way to donate for the majority of alumni
and friends. This contribution is easiest and provides a charitable income tax deduction
for those who itemize.
Give by mail by sending a check or money order to the following address. Please reference
The Springfield Way in the letter or on the info line, so your donation is applied
to The Springfield Way.
Missouri State University Foundation Kenneth E. Meyer Alumni Center 300 South Jefferson, Suite 100 Springfield, MO 65806