The Department of Sociology offers the Internship course (SOC 495) to provide students with an opportunity to gain "real world" experience in the application of sociology, social work and criminal justice.  Internships can be a valuable source of contacts and networking as well. In the past, our students have interned at a variety of agencies, including the Secret Service, WorthHouse Women's Shelter, the Congressional Office of Senator Lindsey Graham, the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, and the Oconee County Solicitor's Office.  While most of these internships are located in the Upstate region of South Carolina, we also assist students in finding internships in their home town and in other geographical locations of interest.  For example, one of our students has completed an internship with the Points of Light Foundation in Washington, DC; another student completed an internship in Indainapolis in the summer of 2003.  A more complete list of field placements can be accessed through the following link:

If you are wondering about the specific benefits of a field placement or internship, you may want to read some comments from students who have completed an internship through our Department:

Description of course:
The actual course consists of a weekly seminar and a formal field placement in a community agency.  The internship requires an average of 8 hours of work per week in a field setting (if you are in a field placement by the second week of the semester) in order to accomplish the minimum of 112 hours required for a passing grade.  Efforts will be made to accommodate placement in an agency setting that best facilitates your career interests.

The actual field placement will provide opportunities to apply the theories and concepts of sociology as a discipline.  This will require a variety of skills including interviewing skills, investigative skills, the ability to solve problems, develop a professional relationship with a client, and to participate in data collection and policy development.

The classroom seminar will provide an overview of various professional roles of service providers, basic techniques used in the interview process, methods of professional intervention, and professional ethics, among other topics.  Students will be expected to take an active role in the internship seminar.

Keep in mind that your performance on the internship is crucial to your future career options.  Your professor and your field placement supervisor can be excellent references for you when you are looking for a job or applying for graduate school.  So, if you're wondering when you need to impress anyone, NOW is the time!

For more information:

If you would like to find out more about the course requirements and about internships in general, please contact:

Dr. Catherine Mobley
Field Placement/Internship Coordinator
Department of Sociology
camoble@clemson.edu
864-656-3815

Page last updated April 27, 2004