Summer Internships at the Center of Inquiry in the Liberal Arts, 2005: Job Description

The Center of Inquiry in the Liberal Arts will hire a number of students as Summer Interns to work on several research projects. To apply, please complete the attached application and submit it via email to Seth Brandjord at brandjos@wabash.edu. Applications are due on Friday, April 22, 2005. The project descriptions are included below.

• Internships will begin in mid-May (after Commencement), and will continue for eight to ten weeks, dependent on project and intern availability. Interns will be paid a stipend; on-campus housing will also be provided.
  
• The Communications and Quantitative Analysis projects are each single-intern projects. The Institutional Context project is intended for a pair of interns.
  
• In addition to the primary project, interns will be invited to participate in reading groups and seminars on topics in the liberal arts, and other activities at the Center. Interns will be encouraged to be intellectually engaged in each others’ projects and to take advantage of opportunities for informal conversations with each other and the Fellows about liberal arts education as well as life beyond college. Other tasks may also be assigned.
  
• We seek students who are self-motivated, can work independently, and are able to work (and develop relationships) with others on a team. All projects require the ability to write well. Additional, specific skill or background requirements are listed in the project descriptions.

Internship Project Descriptions

1. Center of Inquiry Communications Internship (10 weeks):

   This intern will work on several projects relating to communications for the Center of Inquiry. Responsibilities include data entry for reports and our database, organization of a process to collect website user feedback, research for a possible online resource list, and other projects as necessary. The communications intern will actively participate in weekly communications meetings. Attention to detail is important for this position. Contact: Carrie Macy, macyc@wabash.edu.

   
   

2. Research Study and Quantitative Analysis (8-10 weeks):

   The project that this student will work on has two components.  The first is a research study using quantitative data from Wabash College.  Additionally, this student will assist with the planning and process that is involved with the National Study of Liberal Arts Education.  The intern working on this project should have a good understanding of statistics and be interested in analyses and discussion of results.  Students will be encouraged to develop a presentation of these research findings.  Good analytic and writing skills are important. 
   The internship is planned for 8 weeks but may be negotiated for 10 weeks. Contact:  Cherry Danielson, danielsc@wabash.edu.

3. Research Associates, Institutional Context Study/National Study of Liberal Arts Education (8-10 weeks):

   We seek students who are interested in working with qualitative data from a variety of campuses and institutions. Project activities may include literature reviews and qualitative case study research, including transcription and analysis of case study data.  Research Associates will have a direct role in writing summary reports, co-facilitating related presentation and developing research articles when appropriate.  In addition, Research Associates will have the opportunity to participate in the refinement of research design and interview protocols for the Institutional Context Study that is part of the National Study of Liberal Arts Education. There will also be planning responsibilities as we prepare for site visits to fourteen institutions from across the United States.  This project is best suited for students who would like to hone their qualitative research skills, and gain a better understanding of the ways in which liberal arts education impacts student outcomes.  Good research and analytic skills are important.  Contact:  Debra Gentry, gentryd@wabash.edu or Kim Kline, klinek@wabash.edu.
   
   

To apply, please complete the attached application and submit it via e-mail to Seth Brandjord at brandjos@wabash.edu. Applications are due on Friday, April 22, 2005.