Student Activities Internship Program
Overview
The Office of Student supports students, faculty, and staff through programs and services in a variety
of areas including Student Organizations, Leadership Development, Service Opportunities,
Programming, New Student Programs, and the Center for Arts and Crafts. We strive to enhance the
out-of-classroom experience for students. In addition to these areas, there are several affiliate groups
associated with Student Activities Office such as THON, Homecoming, Students Engaging Students
(SES), and The Student Programming Association (SPA).
Internships in the Office of Student Activities are designed to provide both undergraduate and
graduate students with hands-on learning experiences that will help them develop valuable and
transferable skills. Interns will work on a variety of projects designed to foster a new appreciation
and understanding of the multitude of resources available to students at University Park. Interns are
either paid minimum wage or can obtain course credit.
Testimonials from previous interns:
“Working with the Student Activities office has not only given me an awesome chance to learn and
grow in a position I love, but it has given me a way to be more aware and involved in everything that
goes on around campus. I could not have asked for a better opportunity and I wish I had begun
earlier!”
Marissa Romano, Fall 2012 - Spring 2014 Marketing Coordinator for Student Activities
Marketing Major - Smeal College of Business
"Applying to be the LateNight Marketing Coordinator was a great decision. Having flexible hours to
work around my hectic class schedule is super convenient, and it has definitely helped excel my
workflow and increase my experience and skill in the full spectrum of the Adobe Creative Suite."
Chris Cubellis, Fall 2012 - Spring 2014 Marketing Coordinator for LateNight
Graphic Design Major - College of Arts and Architecture
"Working for the Student Activities department has been one of the most beneficial experiences of my
Penn State career. As an aspiring higher education professional, I am surrounded by a talented group
of individuals who can help you see your true potential!"
Jon Miller, Fall 2013 and Spring 2014 Student Organization Coordinator
Energy Business and Finance Major - College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
"My internship with The Office of Student Activities allowed me to get an inside look at what goes into
making student organizations successful at Penn State. I valued the opportunity to work closely with
Student Activities faculty and a wide array of student organizations on campus."
Sarah Kurz-Spring 2014 Student Organization Coordinator
Fall 2014
Public Relations Major-The College of Communications
Office of Student Activities
Mission Statement
The Office of Student Activities is committed to the co-curricular learning, development, and
engagement of students by:
 Providing involvement opportunities and resources
 Advising individual students and student organizations
 Promoting active and responsible citizenship
 Developing collaborative community partnerships
Office of Student Activities
Values Statement
We strive to practice and promote…
Inclusiveness – we create a welcoming environment that celebrates individual differences and
commonalities within a context of mutual respect
Exploration – we support individuals through the process of discovering knowledge about themselves,
others, and the world
Responsibility – we challenge individuals to uphold shared expectations and recognize how their
decisions impact others
Innovation – we embrace creativity while honoring tradition
Collaboration – we share information, resources, and ideas in a mutually beneficial way
Leadership – we empower individuals to serve and to inspire others for the betterment of a
community
Integrity – we encourage individuals to live in a way that is consistent with their values and beliefs
Fall 2014
Available Positions
Student Organization Coordinator – Serve on any possible work groups regarding Student
Organizations ▫ Maintain the tangible resources to hand out to Student Organization leaders ▫ Assist in
the planning and implementation of the Student Organization Success workshops and Advisor Brown
Bags ▫ Help to plan and implement student organization trainings ▫ Develop services provided to
Student Organization Advisors ▫ Assist with managing the Union and Student Activities Facebook page ▫
Work with the Program Director for Student Organizations to build and expand the quality of programs
and services offered to student organizations and their advisors.
Student Organization Coordinator – Serve on any possible work groups regarding Student
Organizations ▫ Maintain the tangible resources to hand out to Student Organization leaders ▫ Assist in
the planning and implementation of the Student Organization Success workshops and Advisor Brown
Bags ▫ Provide support to the Student Organization Resource Team ▫ Coordinate the application and
selection process for the Student Organization of the Month Award ▫ Assist in planning and
implementing the Got Orgs? Mini Involvement Fair program series ▫ Work with the Program Director
for Clubs & Student Organizations to build and expand the quality of programs and services offered to
student organizations and their advisors.
Student Programming Association Intern – Advise a SPA sub-committee in
programming/marketing/production ▫ Assist with the contracting process for artists ▫ Attend SPA
planning meetings ▫ Participate in and assist with additional SPA programs ▫ Hold regularly scheduled
office hours, including some evenings. (Must be a graduate student to apply for this position)
Marketing Coordinator for Union and Student Activities – Develop graphics and posters for special
events throughout Union and Student Activities (USA) ▫ Assist with USA website management ▫ Assist
with the content, layout and distribution of the Toilet Paper ▫ Assist with the content, layout and
distribution of event tickets ▫ Develop and implement marketing and promotional strategies for
student organizations seeking guidance ▫ Assist with Student Programming Association’s (SPA)
marketing materials ▫ Work with the Marketing Director to build and expand the quality of services
provided by the marketing office ▫ Use of Adobe’s Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator,
InDesign preferred (Up to two positions are available for the Marketing Coordinator)
Marketing Coordinator & Graphic Designer for LateNight Programming – Create and post graphics
and posters for Penn State’s LateNight Programming including brochures, presentations, displays and
exhibits throughout the HUB-Robeson Center, the White Building, and the Residence Halls ▫ Design and
place weekly newspaper advertisements in the Daily Collegian’s weekly magazine ▫ Sort and distribute
weekly LateNight promotional materials ▫ Program and maintain the LateNight website, adhering to
W3C standards and web accessibility guidelines ▫ Create electronic advertisements for interactive
touch screen kiosks and other electronic displays ▫ Develop and implement marketing strategies for
LateNight programming ▫ Conduct and analyze market research of programming ▫ Use of Adobe’s
Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign preferred.
Fall 2014
Additional Responsibilities For All Interns
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Help to create and implement a variety of campus programs
Serve as a liaison between the Office of Student Activities and the campus community
Provide excellent customer service to all persons utilizing the services provided by the Office of
Student Activities
Attend weekly 1:1 meetings with your direct supervisor
Attend weekly staff meetings if schedule permits
Other duties as assigned
Internship Learning Outcomes
Interns in the Office of Student Activities will…
 Develop an understanding of the programs and services offered by the Office of Student
Activities
 Understand the role of the Office of Student Activities in co-curricular learning at the University
 Utilize critical thinking and problem solving abilities
 Develop programming and/or marketing skills
 Demonstrate positive self-management skills
 Identify transferable skills that can be used upon internship completion
Qualifications
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Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team
Commitment to creating and supporting an inclusive campus community
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Demonstrated commitment to student involvement and leadership development
Ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently
Ability to serve as an ethical role model for peers
Must be able to work a minimum of 10 hours per week
To Apply:
Application available online at http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/hub/studentactivities/internships.shtml
Send all inquiries to: involvement@psu.edu or call (814) 863-4624
Please note that a background check will need to be completed if selected for an intern position.
Applications Due Friday, April 11th @ 5:00PM to 209 HUB
or via email to involvement@psu.edu
Interviews will be scheduled for the week of April 14 th-18th.
Student Activities Internship Application
Fall 2014
General Information
NAME:
EMAIL:
PSU ID: 9
@psu.edu
PHONE:
CAMPUS/LOCAL ADDRESS:
CLASS STANDING:
MAJOR:
1st Year
2nd Year
3rd Year
4th Year
5th Year
GRAD GPA:
EXPECTED GRADUATION DATE:
WHICH POSITION (S) ARE YOU APPLYING FOR:
References
Please submit at least one non-student/non-family member reference
Reference 1
Name:
Title/Relation:
E-Mail:
Phone:
Reference 2
Name:
Title/Relation:
E-Mail:
Phone:
Supplemental Materials/Questions
**Please make sure to submit a current resume along with the answers to the following questions.
Your answers should be at least two typed pages long but not exceed four typed pages**
Questions
1. Why are you interested in being a Student Activities Intern? What do you hope to gain from this
experience?
2. What qualifications/skills will you bring to this position? Please provide examples of how you
would utilize these skills in the position(s) that interest you.
3. Please describe a time when you worked in a team setting (student organization, class project,
athletic team, etc) and the role that you played on the team.
4. What do you consider to be the biggest challenge in engaging students in meaningful out of class
experiences and what ideas do you have to address this challenge?
Fall 2014