01149-MHR Internship Learning Objective Guidelines
01149-MHR Internship Learning Objective Guidelines
Learning objectives provide the foundation and framework for learning during an internship experience; objectives are to
be listed on the MHR Learning Plan. The learning objectives developed should answer the question, “What will I be
able to do as a result of this internship experience?”
Questions to Ask
Read and answer the following questions to help formulate basic learning objectives for the upcoming internship.
What have I learned in the classroom, which relates to the world of work? How are the concepts I have read about in
textbooks applied in practice? What theories, ideas, or concepts might be applied in my career area?
Skill Development
What new skills will I learn or hope to learn during the internship? Some skills you may have the chance to develop
include: operating office or computer equipment; handling a variety of situations simultaneously; organizing or analyzing
data, records, or budgets; or improving teamwork, writing, and speaking abilities. Assignments and work environment
will determine the types of skills developed.
Personal Development
How will I benefit personally from the internship experience? During your internship, make a special effort to observe
the personal style of supervisors and colleagues. Be able to identify clear examples of leadership styles that either promote
good working relationships or hinder a productive work environment. Note how to deal with pressure, tension, and praise
in work relationships.
It is important to understand how to communicate knowledge to strangers, supervisors, and peers. Be aware of when to
speak and when to listen. Try to understand the employer’s organizational chart (formal or informal). What is a typical
career path? What sort of education and experience is normally required in each line of work?
What can you learning about laws, taxes, and fringe benefits that are important to employees in this field? What
grievances are there? What are the personal satisfactions and rewards? Try to obtain knowledge of job opportunities
available in this field. Become familiar with occupational literature and professional organizations.
Be Specific
Learning objectives should be specific to provide understanding of the your needs and direction. Concrete objectives will
increase the likelihood that the internship will be a successful. Review the examples below to distinguish the differences
between vague and specific learning objectives. Work to avoid vague language as you create your learning objectives for
your upcoming internship.
Share
Once the internship learning objectives have been created list them on the Learning Plan to submit to the Internship
coordinator for approval into the MHR Internship class.
Communicate these objectives with your site supervisor who can help you find ways to accomplish your objectives
during the course of the internship.
Examples of Learning Objectives
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
I want to learn all about working in a senator’s office. I will learn the methods involved in researching legislation for committee
assignments.
I will learn about Human Resources Management. I will study wage and hour laws.
This internship will give me experience in the accounting. I plan to study the methods of cost accounting used by this firm.
I am very interested in counseling troubled teenagers. I will learn to administer and interpret personality inventories.
Sources: https://www.bvu.edu/.../internships/.../LearningObjectivesForInternships.doc
http://www.tmcc.edu/ct/downloads/forms/internships/COMPInternLearningObjWS.pdf