As part of a continuous effort to offer a variety of hands-on learning opportunities to its students, Cape Breton University’s Department of History and Culture is expanding its internship program as it enters its fourth year. Placement options for students will now include spending a term working at the CBU Library.
“The internship program is an example of the sorts of things going on across the entire School of Arts and Social Sciences,” says Andy Parnaby, Associate Professor, Department of History and Culture. “Engaging, thought-provoking and transformative learning opportunities can be found in each and every department.”
The internship program is open to third and fourth year students with a major, minor, or concentration in history, folklore, or ethnomusicology. The Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site and the Beaton Institute have been partners in the program since its inception. This year placement opportunities are available at the Beaton and now the CBU Library. Internships provide up to 6 course credits at the 3000 or 4000-level as well as a small stipend.
“The CBU Library is eager to participate in the internship program and support this ongoing and successful work in the School of Arts and Social Sciences,” says Shawn Bethke, Dean of the Library and Multicultural Learning. “The internship program has been a successful way for students to gain real world, hands-on experience. The CBU Library welcomes the chance to partner with the internship program in order to bring more experiential learning opportunities to CBU students.”
“The Beaton Institute is pleased to offer CBU students an opportunity to apply the theories they learn through their classes in a real workplace setting,” adds Catherine Arseneau, Director, Beaton Institute. “The skills developed by the students are also a great support to the staff and work of the archives. The program is meant to benefit all involved.”
Evidence of those benefits for students isn’t hard to find. Nearly every student who has completed the program has later ended up in graduate or professional programs, including Master’s degrees in History, Library and Information Sciences, Public Administration and law school.
The deadline for applications for the 2014-2015 academic year is September 11, 2014 at 4pm. For more information visit cbu.ca or ask history, folklore or music faculty for more details.
