Discussion of Issues in the Student Internship Community

1
Discussion of Issues in the Student Internship
Community

• Barrett S. Caldwell
• Director, Indiana Space Grant Consortium

2
Internship Community Challenges

• Aspects and Importance of Funding Summer Interns
• Ex-Comm Discussions and Activities
• Current Situation, Models, and Processes
• Topics for Discussion

3
Magnitude of Internship Programs

• 2007-08 Figures (Jerry Hartman and Joyce
  Winterton reports)
• 155 ESMD Interns
• 2000(JH) -- 4000 (JW) Overall Interns
• Interactions with Centers as Major Visibility of
  Space Grant to NASA Project Managers
• Major Space Grant Program Emphasis and Outcomes
• Primary Employment Pathway for Students

4
Major Issues Affecting Internship Community

• Variety of Application Processes
• Over 15 Official Programs
• At Least Five Distinct Student Application Models
• Student Selection and NASA Communication
• Space Grant vs Project Managers vs NASA Program
• Diverging Schedules and Planning Processes

5
Variety of Application Processes (Examples)

• NASA Combined (GSFC)
• Center Request (JPL, JSC)
• General Project (informal)
• Program Focused (LARSS)
• Directorate Focused (ESMD)

6
Preliminary Space Grant Data

• Approximately 30 SG responses
• Still being processed
• 200 Space Grant Funded Interns
• 10-15?
• Quite Wide Variety of Placements
• Dozens more cost shared and informal placements
• Concerns about Student Experiences, but Overall
  Very Strong Program

7
Challenges for the Future

• FY 2009 Budget Timelines as Major Challenge
• Variety of SG Program Years and Funding Schedules
• Budget Reallocations within Centers
• Additional Opportunities, Coordination vs Autonomy

8
Topics for Discussion

• Supporting Advance Coordination of Center
  Opportunities with Space Grant Consortia
• Maintaining Shared Involvement in Selection
  Process
• NCAA National Signing Period Analogy?