I have to do an (unpaid) internship this summer for my human services major and I was wondering if there was any way I could somehow incorporate CAP, preferably on the ES side (as part of my education towards emergency management). Has anything like this been done before? I don't get the sense from my professor that it has to be an official CAP-sponsored internship, more like an agreement with an ESO somewhere to complete a project or assist them and then get an evaluation at the end. It would be for 200 hours. Thoughts?
Contact the NOC and see if they can use you.
I don't think that it would be a probl, so long as your proffessor signs off on it, with the exception of the 200 hours in a summer.
Where is the NOC located? It would probably have to be in northern IL, because I am also taking other classes. RogueLeader, do you think 200 hours is too much? It seems like with all the SAREXs, trainings, etc. it could be doable, especially over the summer. I might be wrong, though.
200 hours is 5-40 hour weeks of just sar paperwork in a 12 week time period. I just don't see there being that much in most places. Now if you were to combine that with admin for an encampment, that would be a whole lot easier for getting the time.
Quote from: CAP4117 on April 27, 2012, 03:12:07 PM
Where is the NOC located? It would probably have to be in northern IL, because I am also taking other classes. RogueLeader, do you think 200 hours is too much? It seems like with all the SAREXs, trainings, etc. it could be doable, especially over the summer. I might be wrong, though.
The NOC is at Maxwell AFB, so that's a bit of a conflict. Barring that, I'd contact your local EOC/Sheriff's Office/911 call center and talk to them. Probably your best bet if you need to stay local.
I was also hoping to get ES off the ground in my squadron, where it is nonexistent. It seems like that could add a fair amount of time. Doing an encampment is a good idea!
Edit: unfortunately, I live in Chicago, and the local emergency management folks have been less than receptive.
Quote from: CAP4117 on April 27, 2012, 03:26:53 PM
I was also hoping to get ES off the ground in my squadron, where it is nonexistent. It seems like that could add a fair amount of time. Doing an encampment is a good idea!
Edit: unfortunately, I live in Chicago, and the local emergency management folks have been less than receptive.
Try Will County, one of the folks there is a member.
Thanks Spaceman! Would you mind PMing me his/her name?
If the professor will buy off on it, the wing ESO may have a project that you could work on independently that would fit the bill. Perhaps develop a syllabus for a major training event/exercise, etc.
Quote from: CAP4117 on April 27, 2012, 03:26:53 PM
...I live in Chicago...
Cubs or White Sox?
I used CAP as an internship for one of my classes, but it was only ten hours. It is doable, though with that time requirement it would be hard to do.
That's a great idea! Who would I contact about that initially? (COC wise)
These are some good options!
Brewers >:D I'm from Milwaukee originally
I did a semester long internship in an emergency operations center, that was a great boon to my ES experience (IMHO).
You might want to try contacting FEMA Region V and see if they have any similar opportunities that you could take advantage of.
Quote from: CAP4117 on April 27, 2012, 02:38:32 PM
I have to do an (unpaid) internship this summer for my human services major and I was wondering if there was any way I could somehow incorporate CAP, preferably on the ES side (as part of my education towards emergency management). Has anything like this been done before? I don't get the sense from my professor that it has to be an official CAP-sponsored internship, more like an agreement with an ESO somewhere to complete a project or assist them and then get an evaluation at the end. It would be for 200 hours. Thoughts?
Look at your state emergency management agency. Also you might check with your county or a close county emergency management. Even the Red Cross might be good to look at. I don't think CAP is a good choice especially IF you are already in CAP, choose another organization and learn something :angel:
RM
^ I have already done an internship with the Red Cross and one with a city EMA (a suburb of Chicago). I have looked at the state EMA but it doesn't look like that can work out on such short notice. (Also, it is too far for me to commute) The fact is, I'm still quite new to CAP (2nd Lt) and haven't had much exposure to what ESOs actually do, especially from the standpoint of building relationships with other agencies. I think the whole process is fascinating, and I would like to learn about all aspects of the ES mission. I think I could learn quite a lot, and contribute to CAP at the same time ;)
At one time back in the mid to late 90s, IL Wing had an intern for the wing.
I, too, am working toward my Human Services degree. It might be beneficial for you to look into the CISM program. This is pretty close to Human Services work. Please let me know if this works out for you. I might look into CAP as a possible internship as well.
Use the CoC and contact your wing ESO for assistance. He may be able to get you in contact with someone that could help.
Thanks for the input everyone! I have spoken with my professor and she's not completely sold on the idea of a CAP internship, but I'm working on it. She knows I am interested in going into emergency management, and is generally very supportive of that. I appreciate the ideas for internships outside of CAP, too - if anyone has any more, let me know! :)
Quote from: caphornbuckle on April 28, 2012, 09:55:19 PM
I, too, am working toward my Human Services degree. It might be beneficial for you to look into the CISM program. This is pretty close to Human Services work. Please let me know if this works out for you. I might look into CAP as a possible internship as well.
I will definitely let you know!
So, I'm still working on getting permission from my professor to do the internship, but I have a COC question: In contacting the wing ESO about the internsip, do I go through my squadron commander or the group ESO? (I am the squadron ESO, as of today)
Edit: I'm confused because this has to do with both the squadron and ES chain of command. Thanks!
Your Wing's ESO will not likely be inclined to be involved with something like this. CAP is not the kind of organization
which can provide the level of activity you'll need to make those hours.
As a matter of protocol, you would need at least your unit and group CC to approve something like you're discussing, but
I would agree with your professor, CAP is not the proper place for an internship (at any level below NHQ).
You'd be much better off looking to work with an EMA or similar for this. In your area that will mean that you'll have to look to the suburbs.
The wing is working with the major metro area you live in, but the reality is that large cities don't really need the kind of help CAP can offer,
and there's going to be a fair amount of competition for any internships that might be offered by OEMC.
You might want to check here, assuming you haven't already
http://www.chicagocenter.org/internships/ (http://www.chicagocenter.org/internships/)
Thanks Eclipse! I appreciate your help. Interestingly, I know a few people at OEMC and they don't have internships anymore (at least not as of last fall). Perhaps I'll try again after the summit (if the city still stands). I will look into suburban EMAs, as well, although I did that last semester. The link you posted looks promising, too. If anyone has any other suggestions, I'm all ears!
Looks like IEMA's internships have to be applied for in January of the respective year.
Here's info on DuPage County: http://www.dupageco.org/HR/Jobs/35495/ (http://www.dupageco.org/HR/Jobs/35495/)
And the ARC appears to have some openings:
http://www.chicagoredcross.org/careers.asp?IDCapitulo=VF223FBDFD (http://www.chicagoredcross.org/careers.asp?IDCapitulo=VF223FBDFD)
Thanks! The DuPage one looks promising, I will try to call them tomorrow. I already did a Red Cross internship as part of my degree, so I can't do another one, unfortunately. I did enjoy it.