SOC480 Employer & Student Guide

The primary purpose of this course is to provide students with an opportunity to apply—in a practical setting—the Sociology and Criminology and Socio-Legal Studies expertise they have gained through course work at UTM. This is accomplished through internships, which provide students with a valuable opportunity to make personal contacts in sectors related to Sociology and Criminology and Socio-Legal Studies. The course is also intended to help students to bridge the gap between graduation and full-time employment. Attention is paid to helping students acquire practical skills that will serve them in their job searches and, eventually, in the workplace. The course includes speakers on practical issues relevant to the Sociology and Criminology and Socio-Legal Studies, and the final written and oral submissions contribute to the development of communication skills.

What is an Internship?

Students are placed as interns in workplaces where expertise in Sociology and Criminology and Socio-Legal Studies is applied on a daily basis. The SOC480Y internships are unpaid, but students earn a full course credit. Placements will be available with experienced supervisors, in a wide variety of employment settings in municipal social service departments or non-profit agencies providing social services, and social movement or community-based organizations working for social change, courts or parole offices, for-profit workplaces or other organizations.

Internships take a variety of forms. In some cases, the “employer” may ask the student to complete an individual research project. In other cases, the student may take on a role within an existing project team. Field work, database management, or specific software applications may be involved, depending on the background, interests, and skills of the student. If the work is of a technical nature, the student may have to spend some time observing and learning the work. An employer may ask a student to attend a special training session. Employers may offer experiences that require intake, counseling assistance, community program development or delivery, or relevant field or office work.

To successfully complete the internship, students fulfill a work commitment of 200 hours (approximately equivalent to one day per week of the academic year). The scheduling of the work commitment is flexible, and is to be worked out by mutual agreement between the student and the employer. Possible arrangements include one day per week throughout the academic year or two half-days per week. If the student is available to begin work in the summer time, some of the work commitment can be fulfilled before the academic year begins.

What Does U of T Expect of the Employer?

Our expectation is that the employer will provide the student with a project (or variety of small projects or tasks) to work on. We recognize that this represents a significant commitment of thought, time, and effort, because the employer must create a “niche” for the student. The work may be specifically designed for the individual student, or the student may be given a role in an ongoing project. We hope and expect that the student will be given “real” work to do, rather than work to just keep the student “busy.” In some cases the employer will need to provide a physical place for the student to work (an office, a desk, or a work station). In all cases the employer will need to spend some time orienting the student to the nature and requirements of the project or practical work, and monitoring the student’s efforts.

Once an employer has agreed to provide a placement, he or she will be asked to submit a brief project or experience description (half-page). This will include a brief narrative description of the job or project; a list of the skills required for the job (both academic skills and practical skills, such as writing or computational skills); and comments concerning any other project requirements, such as travel, special training, or required availability for field work or a special event. The internships are unpaid. The employer also is not expected to pay for the student’s travel to and from the workplace, although special costs may be reimbursed, as they would be for any typical employee.

The employer will be asked to sign a workplace-education agreement form, which provides for students to receive the appropriate insurance coverage while on the job. The cost and administration of insurance is covered by the University and by the Ministry of Education and Training; there is no cost to the organization providing the placement. At the end of the academic year, the employer is asked to complete a brief form assessing the student’s performance on the job; this will provide part of the student’s mark for the course. The employer will be invited and encouraged to attend the end-of-year lunch and workshop, with presentations by all of our student interns and an opportunity to interact with other SOC480Y employers.

What Are the Benefits to the Employer?

In exchange for the commitment to provide guidance, a project or tasks, and a work environment for the student, the employer will receive 200 hours of work from a UTM student specializing in Sociology and Criminology and Socio-Legal Studies. We hope and trust that our students will make a real contribution to the work of the organization. Employers also have an opportunity to assess the qualifications of UTM near-graduates. UTM is very interested in fostering working relationships with members of our community outside academia; there are many mutual benefits to such relationships.

Some employers involved in the course are long-time friends of UTM; some have supervised many students over the years. Some have hired UTM graduates, and some are UTM grads. Other supervisors are joining us for the first time; we welcome them, and thank all of our employers warmly. Employers who are in the early stages of their careers tell us that they value the opportunity to gain supervisory experience. Many feel that their involvement in this course gives them a chance to mentor the next generation of Sociology and Criminology and Socio-Legal Studies experts, and to fulfill a commitment to the community—a chance to “give back.” We are very appreciative of the efforts of all our employers and supervisors; without their contributions, a course like this simply would not be possible.

What Does U of T Expect of the Student?

The student is expected to fulfill a 200-hour work commitment, according to a schedule mutually accepted by the student and the employer. If the 200-hour commitment is not fulfilled, the “employer assessment” portion of the course mark will be withheld. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from the workplace, and travel time is not counted toward the 200-hour work commitment. Every effort will be made to accommodate students’ needs with regard to the work location, but there are no guarantees.

Students’ work will be monitored by the faculty and staff coordinators through phone calls, e-mail, periodic meetings, and, if appropriate, site visits. As part of the monitoring process, the student is asked to submit a Work Activity Log, in which a record is kept of dates, times, and places of work, and activities undertaken. Students are expected to attend all course meetings; a portion of the course mark is based on attendance at these meetings. The main content of the course consists of the work carried out in the internship; five short assignments related to the practical sessions will also be assigned. Late assignments will not be accepted without permission of the instructor, and documentation of a University-approved circumstance beyond the student’s control, which prevented the student from handing in the assignment on time. At the end of the school year, submission of the Final Written Report and the Presentation will complete the course requirements.

Students accepted into SOC480Y internships and sent to work placements in the fields relating to Sociology and Criminology and Socio-Legal Studies act as “ambassadors” from the University of Toronto Mississauga. For better or for worse, their work in these internships is representative of the work of all other U of T students. We hope and expect that our students will act as professionals at all times. We know that they will be reliable, cooperative, and punctual. We believe that they will impress their employers not only with their background knowledge, skills, and preparation, but also with their intelligence and their willingness to learn and to contribute.

What Are the Benefits to the Student?

Students receive 1 credit for completion of the course. Students gain valuable work experience from the course; the internship can be listed on the student’s resume as an example of relevant work experience. Through the internships, practical sessions, and written and oral submissions, students will gain a number of practical workplace skills, including communications; job search and resume-writing skills; interpersonal and teamwork skills; issues identification and analysis; and project management.

Students will also become aware of new developments that may have implications for their own future employment. Some students may come to the realization that they need to consider changing their career aspirations; others will find their “dream” job. Finally, students gain valuable personal contacts, reference letters, and–in some cases–permanent employment opportunities. On the basis of extensive experience with UTM students in work placements, we know that the more effort a student puts into the placement, the more he or she will get out of it.

What can Students and Employers Expect from U of T and the Course Coordinator?

The University of Toronto is responsible for the cost and administration of insurance coverage for students involved in practical work as a component of their course work. Students who are working for an organization that has Workers Compensation Board coverage for their own employees are eligible for WCB coverage, handled by the University through the workplace-education agreement with the Ministry of Education and Training. Students who are completing their internship at an organization that provides private insurance coverage for their own employees are covered under the University’s comprehensive liability policy, through ITT Hartford. UTM will provide workplace-education agreement forms to be signed by the employer, student intern, and faculty coordinator.

The faculty member coordinates course activities. This includes arranging internship placements for each student, in conjunction with the Experiential Education Office. Efforts will be made to place students in workplaces that are appropriate to their backgrounds, interests, and experiences, as well as their ability to travel, but there are no guarantees as to the type of placement that will be provided. The faculty member is also expected to monitor the student’s progress and to act as a mediator between the student and the employer, in case any problems arise. If necessary, the faculty member may make a visit to the workplace, to check on the student’s work and make sure that the placement is appropriate. At the end of the academic year, it will be the faculty member’s responsibility to gather all of the components of the course assessment and provide a course mark for the student.

SOC480Y Course Format

 Class Meetings. There will be, on average, one class meeting per month for the academic year. The Practical Sessions will feature speakers who will focus on practical skills and information relevant to careers, graduate school, the workplace in general, and specifically in fields related to Sociology and Criminology and Socio-Legal Studies. Attendance at all class meetings is absolutely crucial. Because the class meets so rarely, students must attend these meetings in order to keep up with what is happening in the course. Part of the mark for the course will be based on students’ attendance and participation.

Assignments. There will be five short assignments, each linked to one of the Practical Sessions. (Refer to the Course Assessment Scheme included in this package.) These assignments are designed to help students delve deeper into some of the information provided at the practical sessions. They will vary in format and content but will normally include a short writing assignment.

Work Activity Log. Students are asked to keep a running log of the days, times, and places they worked, activities undertaken, and any other relevant information. This is the type of record required by Revenue Canada for persons who are self-employed or are working in a consulting capacity. The Work Activity Log will provide a small component of the course assessment. At the end of the year, the Work Activity Log must demonstrate that the student has successfully completed the required 200-hour work commitment.

Individual Meetings. In late November and early December, the course coordinator will make an appointment with each student to meet individually. The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss the student’s progress and any concerns that exist with the placement, and to begin planning the format for the Final Written Report and Presentation.

Final Written Report. The Final Written Report is to be submitted on or before the Presentation Day. The format of the report will vary, depending on the nature of the work undertaken; this will be discussed in greater detail in class. The written submission should be professional, and representative of the work completed over the course of the year, and it should include a Personal Reflection section. Students will be given considerable freedom in designing their submissions.

Presentation Day and Practice Sessions. On a Friday during the April Final Exam period, the SOC480Y interns will present a full-day workshop. Attendance of all students is required for the full day, and the day will be scheduled by the Registrar as a full-day exam day for all students registered in the class. Students will give a professional, conference-style oral presentation of their work. Appropriate use of audiovisual aids will be encouraged. Employers, UTM staff and faculty, former and prospective students, grads, and other interested participants will be invited to attend. Several practice sessions will be held beforehand; attendance at a practice session is required. Students who do not attend a practice session will not be allowed to give their presentations.

SOC480Y COURSE ASSESSMENT SCHEME

Item Value

• Assignments (5 assignments at 5% each) 25% 
• Participation, Work Activity Logs, Individual Meetings - Each are pass/fail and all three combined contribute to 5%
• Final Written Report 20%
• Oral Presentation 20%
• Employer Assessment 30%
• Total 100%

NOTES TO STUDENTS CONCERNING COURSE ASSESSMENT:

• The three pass/fail components (Participation/Attendance, Work Activity Logs, and Individual Meetings) account for 5% of the course mark. To get the full marks, you just have to DO them.
• Assignments. The five short Assignments will be based on the content of the Practical Sessions. These will typically be short written assignments. They are designed to help you explore some of the information and skills offered during the practical sessions. The mark is mainly based on the on-time completion of the assignment to specification, and demonstration of effort.
• Late submissions of assignments, work activity logs, progress reports, and final written reports will not be accepted without agreement of the Course Coordinator and documentation of a University-accepted circumstance that prevented the on-time submission of the material.
• Final Report.   The Final Reports will vary in format depending on the type of work students have been doing throughout the year. At the individual meetings in December, we will discuss the appropriate format for each student’s written report. The individual meetings are not graded; they are an opportunity for problem-solving and feedback.
• Oral Presentation. The Presentations will be 7 minutes, with 3 minutes for questions. They will take place at a full-day workshop during the April Exam Period, and will be scheduled as a final exam; full-day attendance is required. We invite the employers to the presentations, as well as other students, faculty members, deans, grads, and other participants. If you do not attend a practice session, you will not be permitted to give your presentation and will receive a mark of zero.
• Work Activity Log.  You are asked to keep a Work Activity Log that includes the date, hours spent working, location where the work was carried out, brief details of the work completed on that date, and a running total of the hours completed to date. An updated log will be due at most of the class meetings (check the Schedule). The log should be neat and well organized. The final log, submitted with your Final Written Report, must demonstrate that you have successfully completed the 200-hour work commitment. If the 200-hour commitment has not been fulfilled, the employer assessment portion of the course mark will be withheld from your final course mark.
• Participation.  The assessment of participation will be based on attendance at the monthly scheduled class meetings, individual meetings, practice session for the presentations, and the full-day workshop at the end of the school year. It will be assessed on a Pass/Fail basis; to pass, you should attend all course meetings, unless there is a valid, documented reason that you cannot attend.
• Employer Assessment. Your employer will be asked to provide an assessment of your work, which will account for 30% of your course mark. The employer will assess the content of your work and your understanding of important issues, in addition to factors such as your professional demeanor; reliability; cooperation, teamwork, and interpersonal skills; ability to communicate effectively, and ability and willingness to learn and to make a contribution.

Employer Assessment Form

STUDENT:

EMPLOYER:

COURSE COORDINATOR:

TO THE EMPLOYER:

Please provide an assessment of this student’s performance as a biology intern at your organization over the past school year. Your assessment may take into account (but needn’t be limited to) the following performance indicators:

• Quality and content of work completed
• Management of assigned tasks
• Communications skills (written, oral)
• Cooperation/teamwork/interpersonal skills
• Professional demeanor
• Reliability/punctuality
• Willingness to learn

It would be helpful if you would return the assessment to me before the Presentation Day. Your assessment will make up 30% of the student’s mark for the course. The final written report and oral presentation will be assessed separately, each making up 20% of the course mark.

Assessment: (expressed as a percentage; see attached sheet)

Employer’s Signature:

Please attach any comments concerning the student’s performance or any other aspect of the course. Thank you again for your extremely valuable contributions to this course, and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Grading Scheme for the University of Toronto: Percentage & Grade Definition

• 90-100 A+
• 85-89 A Excellent
• 80-84 A-
• 77-79 B+
• 73-76 B Good
• 70-72 B-
• 67-69 C+
• 63-66 C Adequate
• 60-62 C-
• 57-59 D+
• 53-56 D Marginal
• 50-52 D-
• 0-49 F Inadequate

Please use the space below for any additional comments concerning this students internship