Seniors Leading Bonners
Who? | What? | Why? | Handbook
Bonner Senior Interns—who work closely with Coordinators as leaders of the Bonner Program at their school—often are the wheels that keep their Bonner Program rolling. These dedicated students are committed to strengthening their program and the experience of every student in it. Without their leadership, many of the daily Bonner activities and programs would not be as successful as they are.
Who?
Who exactly are those Senior Interns?
- Senior Interns are members of the Senior (duh!) Bonner class. Specifically, those demonstrating strong commitments to the Bonner Program and an interest in its programming. (Some schools, however, have even developed a junior-year internship as well, through which the Senior Intern is groomed).
- This internship helping to lead and manage the Bonner Program is the student's main service site. You should expect some amount of autonomy as you function in various capacities within your Bonner Program. For expectations see below.
- This internship also provides a great educational experience, preparing you for life after college.
- Your main goal is to assist the Director and Coordinator of the Bonner Program at your college or university in developing the program at your school further. While many Bonner Programs have one senior intern, many have incorporated two or even three, which the Bonner Foundation encourages.
- Generally, the Senior Intern is selected by the Coordinator. Each school may have its own process.
What?
Senior intern roles and job expectations.
It is important that you discuss job expectations with your director prior to your year of service to make sure that you are both on the same page. However, your job may require a significant amount of self-guidance and management. While each Senior Intern position will be unique, be prepared to function in the following capacities:
- Lead!
- Plan, facilitate, and supervise Bonner meetings, retreats, and trainings. For useful resources see the Trainings/Modules available or the Reflection Resources.
- Help run the Student Leadership Team (or other committees) that are part of the Bonner Program. The Senior Intern helps manage and delegate important tasks among Bonner students.
- Help plan and manage Bonner events, such as campus-wide or Bonner service events, First Year Trip, Second Year Exchange, and more.
- Help organize, plan, and facilitate Bonner Orientation and annual retreats.
- Senior Interns can be a key resource in helping integrate the Student Development Model throughout the Bonner Program.
- Connect!
- Connect with the Senior Program Officer (Ariane Hoy) and other staff at the Foundation, in order to connect with other schools.
- Often times, Senior Interns also help maintain relationships with Community Partners, doing site visits and other arrangements.
- Foster a relationship with the Bonner Congress and Bonner Congress Reps.
- Work with faculty and staff to create and facilitate academic connections.
- Manage!
- Most Senior Interns help staff and students to track and manage service hours, using BWBRS.
- This might include helping students complete and submit their CLAs (Community Learning Agreements).
- Senior Interns often have a big role in recruiting: making Bonner visible on campus, discussing the program with incoming students, working with Admissions to make sure Bonner is available as an option, and so on.
- Passing the torch to the next Bonner Senior Intern—by helping to select, train, and leave information for that person—is important.
- Step Up and Make Changes!
- Lead your Bonner Program to success! Be both a resource and a guide to the rest of your Bonner Program, keeping them engaged, motivated, and supported. Senior Interns can identify things that can be improved and work closely with staff and students to carry it off.
- Help integrate and model the Common Commitments, working to create and lead reflections, meetings, and other initiatives to deepen the Bonner Program.
Why?
What might persuade a battle-worn fourth (or fifth) year student with the dreaded senioritis to put so much energy into the Bonner Program?
- The first answer is simple. A Senior Internship will count as your Bonner placement for your Senior year. You may be one of the few Bonners with a site within walking distance!
- In addition, many Senior Interns were Congress Reps, so they spend their final year in a culminating leadership role.
- Student Development: The Senior Intern position is the perfect place to hone your skills for life after college. This position gives you lots of hands-on experience in leadership, planning, and organizing—skills valuable for a life committed to civic engagement as well as many different vocations and graduate programs.
- Take the opportunity to pass knowledge and expertise on to future generations of Bonner students at your school.
Handbook
Still need more information? The Bonner Senior Intern Handbook will answer all of your questions.
Senior Intern Handbook: What are you waiting for, check out the handbook.
Also, check out the Bonner Intern Wiki page for even more information as well as a chance to network with other school's interns.
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