By Colin Williams/Staff Writer

Students in their senior year are in the countdown to entering workforce and a common experience helps them make that transition: internships, jobs where you work as both a student as well as an employee.

Many of Missouri Valley College’s majors and departments require internships in some way, shape, or form. For example, the School of Education & Social Sciences have their students act as student teachers.

Assistant Professor and Dean, Dr Lisa Rice explained what the process is for her students.

“They basically go into a classroom, and observe for a few weeks,” Rice said. “And then, they start taking over that classroom…and by the fourth or fifth week they’re taking over that classroom…they do all the lesson planning, and all the assessments with the students.”

Senior Ashlyn Lewis said having this hands-on experience has helped her.

“I had an amazing class, and I couldn’t be more prepared,” Lewis said. “If it is something that you want to do or not, it will show you in that process.”

The education department isn’t alone on this front. For example, Nursing Department students have a lot on their plate as well. Senior Reyven McDonald spoke about her program’s internships, called practicums.

“For the program here at MVC, the practicum consists of working 17 shifts to accumulate a total of 200 hours at a hospital of your choosing,” McDonald said. “Then you as a student are paired with what is called a preceptor, somebody that’s in charge of you. And you basically follow your preceptor’s schedule and work as long as they do.”