The Practicum Program is a vital means of gaining relevant, professional work experience. Students apply their classroom understanding of tasks and responsibilities to the daily workflow in their chosen information agency under the supervision of a seasoned information professional. The Practicum (IS 599) is available each semester to all students, though they are often taken in one of the last two terms of graduate study.
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The Practicum experience:
- integrates the classroom with the “real world” under the supervision and instruction of an experienced information professional;
- puts technique and technologies in context;
- strengthens one’s accomplishments portfolio and resume through validating skills and knowledge;
- Provides oversight, context, and feedback from skilled and established practitioners;
- can be done in any location;
- allows students an extended opportunity to “interview” an employer they are interested in working for.
- Confirms interest in a possible career path and develops familiarity with culture and values of a specific type of organizational climate
The Practicum gives SIS students an opportunity to “try out” a job and type of workplace, gain professional work experience, earn academic credit and valuable professional contacts. The Practicum experience [IS 599] expands a student’s professional network and usually provides a recommendation from an experienced and well-regarded information professional—invaluable when searching for that first professional job.
Want to know more? Contact:
Practicum Coordinator
School of Information Sciences
451 Communications Building
1345 Circle Park Drive, Suite 451
Knoxville, TN 37996
(865) 974-2148
sispracticum@utk.edu
