The SIS Practicum: A Career Building Opportunity

Application for Fall 2008 practicum should be completed by October 6, 2008

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.

• FAQs
• Testimonials
• Practicum Calendar
• Places to do a Practicum
• Practicum Policies and Procedures
  • Introduction
  • Terminology and Relationships
  • Credit Hours Options
  • Requirements
  • Expectations
  • Procedures
• Application Forms

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:

J. Michael Pemberton
Practicum Coordinator
School of Information Sciences
454 Communications Building
1345 Circle Park Drive, Suite 451
Knoxville, TN 37996
(865) 974-6509
Cell: (865) 919-5878
sispracticum@utk.edu