Undergraduate Training Opportunities

CAPS Outreach Internship Program

CAPS accepts applications for our Outreach Intern track for each spring for the following academic school year, Fall – Spring. Click here to apply.

Outreach Intern duties and responsibilities center on planning and development of various service and educational programming on issues related to college student mental health and wellbeing, under the supervision of Dr. Charlynn Small. Typically, an organization (i.e., sorority, fraternity, etc.), other group or an individual will request the interns’ assistance with planning or presenting an activity for a specific purpose or with a particular theme. The interns will also plan and execute their own activity or event after assessing for and determining the need for a particular service or event. For example, after a request and encouragement from one student leader, the interns created the Take a Spider for Some Cider Campaign (Britain Get Talking Copyright ITV plc, 2024) to promote the importance of friendship and maintaining nurturing connections to optimal mental health and wellness.

Outreach and program topics may include:

  • CAPS Services
  • Stress Management
  • Relationship Issues
  • Important of Wellness Practices (nutrition, exercise, sleep etc.)

These topics are often addressed through both direct service and social media efforts, as demonstrated above. Examples of direct service program support by Outreach interns include classroom presentations and tabling events. Social media efforts have included providing webinars on various topics and creating Tik-Toks. CAPS Outreach interns also maintain a CAPS Instagram page where students can see inspirational memes and messages, in addition to an introduction to each current intern.

CAPS interns are encouraged to collaborate and co-program with other groups and organizations. For example, each year CAPS outreach interns typically join with the Chaplaincy to present the Study Break for the Soul and Stress Out Day. The event, which features food, crafts, mindfulness activities, and therapy dogs is held near the end of each semester with the aim of decreasing stress and anxiety associated with exams, final projects, graduation, etc.

References
https://www.itvplc.com/social-purpose/news/2024/15-08-2024