Keeping an Internship Journal
A journal is a systematic and analytical record of your reflections based on your observations, experiences, conversations, readings, etc. It is more than a diary, and more than an activity log or of events. A good learning journal makes thoughtful connections between theory and practice.
Purposes of a journal
- A journal can help you to make sense of a great variety of observations, experiences, and ideas.
- A journal can be a dialogue with yourself in which the act of committing thought to paper forces you to reflect more systematically and contributes to new insights that you might otherwise overlook.
- A journal can be a tool to demonstrate what you have learned.
Types of Journal Entries
Log Entries: The learning log requires the intern to say concisely and specifically just what was done at a particular time during the internship. It is similar to the who, what, where of the lead paragraph of a news story. The log requires accurate, factual recording of what happened in a particular time frame.
Observations, perceptions and analysis: Along with recording of facts, the detailed recording of perceptions in a journal helps the intern assemble, organize and begin to make sense of their own observations and experiences.
- What did you see?
- What do you observe?
- What patterns begin to emerge in the course of events in your internship?
- How does this connect with what you know from courses or other knowledge?
- How does your placement fit into the overall organizational system?
What supports your opinions or analysis of why things are the way they are?
Recording feelings: You can also include the recording of your feelings toward the internship, the work you are doing, and the organization (positive or negative and why).
Recording perspectives: The recording of other persons’ perspectives assists the intern in the process of understanding and analysis. Write about the perspectives of your supervisors, departmental manager, an agency director, a client or customer, the company president, a co-worker, etc. as it relates to your internship and your learning goals. A deeper understanding and sensitivity may be developed as the
intern takes the role of “the other” or “walks in someone else’s shoes”.
New language: Interns soon learn that each placement has its own specialized language. Recording new vocabulary and specialized language assists in the communicator role and the beginning process toward professionalism.
Recording questions: Record three questions a day–something you find interesting and relevant. The questions can be directed at anyone or anything related to your internship. Answers are not necessary expected in the journal, but questioning shows critical thought. However, do find out the answer and add
them to your journal.