ABSTRACT
One of this book’s big ideas is that interns should be active planners, coordinators, and shapers of the internship experience. That is, interns should self-advocate for their personal and professional needs, contribute to decision-making processes regarding the internship, take initiative, and constantly seek out opportunities for learning. This big idea does not mean that interns should fly solo, completing their internships independently without supervisor support. The point is that interns should actively influence the internship, as opposed to being passive recipients of their supervisors’ plans. The focus of Chapter 5 is on (a) what it means to be a proactive intern, and (b) how the intern can be a proactive contributor to the internship. Actions supervisors can take to facilitate interns’ proactive behavior are also explored. The chapter concludes with critical thinking questions and activities for interns and supervisors about intern proaction.
