Internship

Our training and experience are well-regarded in the community and strong additions to any resume. Former interns have reported their experience gave them an advantage in landing jobs in the field and applying to colleges and graduate schools. This is a great setting to build core skills and to gain hands-on experience in the field.

Benefits of interning with us include:

• Earn college credit
• Receive free training and mentorship (letters of recommendation and/or professional references)
• Learn to appreciate the importance of self-care
• Learn about yourself and find out if you can work with a certain demographic
• Take advantage of flexible hours
• Network and learn about job opportunities in the community
• Change lives and have a positive impact

Intern Role

• Support clients by exhibiting strong active listening skills
• Maintain client and colleague confidentiality
• Attended required basic and advanced trainings
• Participate in other continuing education opportunities as offered
• Crisis intervention/suicide intervention

Intern Requirements

• Age 18+
• Must be reliable and have a sincere desire to help others
• Must show respect and compassion for people affected by mental health conditions and life challenges
• Comfort using a computer and telephone
• Willing to commit to a minimum of 100 hours of service
• There are no specific education requirements, however, coursework in Human Services, Counseling, Social Work, or other health-related field, including Gerontology, Psychology, or Health Sciences may be helpful

Intern Expectations

• Provide class schedule, syllabus, and internship advisor contact information
• Be on time for shifts and trainings, and promptly respond to voicemails and emails
• Professional conduct, both in person and through any written or phone communications
• Prepare for meetings (bring calendar/planner and training materials) and take notes
• Keep track of training, meeting, and shift hours

Interns whose placement includes Community Connector responsibilities begin with Contact’s primary Volunteer onboarding and training pathway before supporting individuals through our telephone-based support programs.

During their internship, Community Connectors primarily support:

Contact Warmline – A non-crisis telephone support line connection for individuals experiencing stress, loneliness, or everyday life challenges.

Telecare – A telephone reassurance program that provides daily connections to support. This program complements caregiving services already in place.

The primary onboarding pathway includes:

• Approximately 10 hours of self-paced virtual learning, including:
  • Active listening and supportive communication
  • Program protocols and documentation
  • Crisis intervention principles and escalation procedures
  • Community resource navigation
  • Person-centered helping skills
  • Two scheduled one-on-one checkpoint sessions with a trainer to review progress, practice core skills, and prepare for in-office training
• Approximately 4 hours of in-office training, including:
  • Orientation to Contact’s phone and documentation systems
  • Observation of live service delivery
  • Guided skill development through apprenticing
  • Individualized instruction and feedback

Following core training, interns transition into service with continued support from experienced staff. Throughout their internship, interns receive:

• Regular supervision and consultation
• Ongoing coaching and performance feedback
• Continued education opportunities
• Individualized support as they develop confidence and competency in the role

While this is the primary onboarding pathway for Community Connector interns, training plans and responsibilities may be tailored based on agency priorities, evolving community needs, and an interns demonstrated competencies.

As Contact’s services continue to grow and adapt, internship experiences may evolve accordingly.