Could your organization use help with a problem or area of need? Are you interested in helping future leaders in the profession develop real-world skills? Consider becoming a practicum project sponsor! Students will complete the project at no cost to your organization, and their work will be supervised by both a faculty project supervisor and a representative of your organization. Projects must be feasible for a small team of students (3-5 people) to complete within about three months, with each student working approximately 12 hours per week on the project.

A project might look something like:

• Developing a database or web-based tool to organize and/or share data.
• Creating data visualizations to communicate with organizational stakeholders.
• Conducting a usability evaluation of a tool, website, or app that your organization maintains.
• Designing and implementing a library program or service.
• Conducting assessment of an existing library service or collection.
• Creating a professional development experience for practitioners in your organization.
• Spearheading an advocacy or marketing campaign.

Learn More

 

Questions? Contact Practicum Coordinator Courtney Lewis at courtney.lewis@unc.edu or 919-962-0599.

Ready to get started? Submit your project opportunity for consideration.

Are you an employer seeking ways to connect with our students? Consider these options:

• Career Fairs – University Career Services sponsors a number of career fairs throughout the year that allow your organization to meet with a large volume students in a marketplace setting.
• Panel Discussions – SILS offers career panels each year on a variety of career topics. Let us know if you wish to participate as a panelist. There are usually representatives from 4-5 organizations who discuss preparation for the career field, typical responsibilities, career paths, etc.
• Industry Nights – University Career Services sponsors informal gatherings that bring together students and professionals to discuss targeted career areas.
• Speakers for Campus Organizations – SILS Career Services can assist you in connecting with the appropriate audience for your organization.
• Information Sessions & Presentations – SILS can assist with scheduling and publicity. Space in Manning Hall includes a/v equipment.
• Post a Job/Fellowship on Handshake – University Career Services is pleased to offer employers the opportunity to connect with UNC students in online postings via Handshake. Handshake is a networked platform used for recruiting college students at nearly 400 colleges and universities. If you are already a Handshake user, simply go to the “schools” option and request access to University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. If you do not currently have a Handshake account, you will first need to create one before being able to post your opportunity. Learn more about using Handshake.
• Post a Job/Fellowship on the SILS listservs – If you are looking to post a job, job announcements may be sent by e-mail to sils-jobs@listserv.unc.edu. Professional positions will be posted on this listserv. Pre-professional, internship and volunteer positions will be sent electronically to student listservs at SILS. All jobs are posted free of charge.

If you are interested in one or more of these options, please contact Lori Haight at lhaight@email.unc.edu

INLS 393 and 795: Field Experience

The SILS Field Experience Program enables students to gain 135 hours of professional experience in an information organization while receiving 3 hours of class credit. Field Experience can be taken during the fall, spring, or summer term. Students are mentored by both a supervising professional in the organization (site supervisor) and a full-time SILS faculty member (faculty supervisor) and engage in a course seminar.

SILS graduate and undergraduate students are eligible for this program. The Field Experience Program is intended for SILS students who have completed their junior year (undergraduates) or at least 18 credit hours toward their MSLS or MSIS (graduate students). Contact: Lori Haight

INLS 796: Field Experience in School Library Media

Supervised observation and practice in a school library media center. Faculty led seminars, reflection journals, and on-site faculty observations enhance the experience.

Required preparation: completion of at least 21 semester hours, and INLS 534 Youth and Technology in Libraries. Permission of the instructor. Contact: Sandra Hughes-Hassell

INLS 992: Master’s Practicum Project

The SILS Master’s Practicum Project is designed for students who wish to gain practical experience for their capstone experience in lieu of writing a research paper. This project gives students the opportunity to apply the professional skills and knowledge they have gained at SILS in a team-based environment to a real-world problem or area of need while under the supervision of a faculty member and an internal or external project sponsor. Contact: Courtney Lewis

Carolina Academic Library Associates (CALAs)

Two-year appointments with UNC Libraries; includes stipend for 12 months, health insurance, and full tuition support. Approximately five CALAs are appointed each fall. Appointments are announced in February and early March. Candidates are placed in campus libraries based on the needs of the various libraries and departments and their own professional interests. Recent students have been appointed to assist at the Sloane Art Library, Digital Research Services, Carolina Digital Repository, Special Collections Technical Services department, UNC Music Library, Stone Center Library for Black Culture and History, Health Sciences Library, and Kenan Science Library. Contact: Monica Figueroa or Doug Diesenhaus

Carolina Technology Associates (CaTAs)

Two-year appointments in a systems or technology setting on campus or in the area; includes stipend for 9 or 12 months, health insurance, and full tuition support. The number of CaTAs varies from year to year depending on demand. Appointments are announced in February and early March. Contact: Kenneth Gyan

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Library Internships

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and SILS have a partnership that provides between six and eight internships at the EPA Library in Research Triangle Park (RTP) each year. Established over 40 years ago, the SILS and EPA Library collaboration has enabled more than 425 interns to apply concepts and ideas taught in the classroom to real-world library situations while gaining professional-level experience.

Interns work 20 hours each week for at least one year. Students must be enrolled in a master’s level library science or information science program at UNC-SILS or NCCU-SLIS for a minimum of nine credit hours each fall and spring semester to maintain eligibility for the internship. Students may not hold any other graduate assistantship concurrently.

Former EPA interns can be found in all areas of the library world, and many have gone on to become leaders in libraries and the information industry.