Internships at VR

VR offers internships and practicums for undergraduate and graduate students that provide them with valuable work experience and exposure to the vocational rehabilitation program.

The internship at VR is a great tool that has helped me obtain real life experiences in the professional counseling field.
- Chad Marks, South University

Graduate Student Counseling Internships

VR offers internship opportunities to graduate students at universities whose programs meet the Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD).

Students enrolled in eligible counseling programs at accredited institutions are invited to experience this personally rewarding profession through our internship program.

Institutions with eligible counseling programs include (but are not limited to):

  • The Citadel
  • Clemson University
  • East Carolina University
  • Francis Marion University
  • SC State University
  • South University
  • University of North Carolina Charlotte
  • University of South Carolina
  • Webster University
  • Winston Salem University
  • Winthrop University

Benefits

Exposure to the Vocational Rehabilitation program provides you a hands-on opportunity to work with individuals with disabilities and apply skills and techniques acquired through your coursework to a work experience. The program also may provide potential employment opportunities to qualified individuals.

“These internships have provided excellent opportunities for our students to enhance their development as rehabilitation counselors. In fact, they have resulted in more than 50 of our students securing employment with VR.”
- Dr. David Staten, SC State University

You will acquire valuable tools by participating in counselor orientation and in-service training and attending team meetings, workshops and other training sessions.

You will work with VR staff members to provide rehabilitation services to consumers and develop work opportunities for them. You will also learn referral development, vocational assessment, eligibility determination, how to develop Individualized Plans for Employment and implement planned services, job-readiness training, vocational counseling, case documentation and case management.

Expectations

Interns must:

  • Comply with the agency’s administrative and consumers service policies and procedures.
  • Comply with the work schedule.
  • Actively participate in all assignments.
  • Develop work opportunities utilizing community resources

Non-Counseling Internships and Practicums

We encourage internships and practicums with colleges and universities whose programs offer a curriculum that aligns student skills with VR’s future needs.

Benefits

You have the opportunity to work with individuals with disabilities and apply skills and techniques acquired through your coursework to a work experience. The program also may provide potential employment opportunities to qualified individuals.

Expectations

Interns must:

  • Work in a team environment.
  • Interact with agency staff and other professionals.
  • Participate in designated orientation and in-service training.
  • Develop work opportunities utilizing community resources.
  • Attend team meetings, workshops and other relevant training.

How to Apply

To apply for an internship or practicum at VR, you must:

  1. Complete a VR Practicum/Internship Application.
    • Under the “position applying for” section of the application, include the following:
      • Whether you are interested in a Graduate Student Counseling Internship or a Non-Counseling Internship or Practicum
      • Year and semester desired
      • Geographic preference(s) for serving your internship (i.e., the VR local area offices at which you would like to work)
    • List any practicum experience under the “additional information” section of the application.
  2. Submit a copy of your unofficial transcript (for Non-Counseling Internships or Practicums) or graduate transcript
  3. Submit a letter of recommendation from the college Dean or Internship Coordinator (Graduate Student Counseling Internship applicants only)
  4. Send your application materials to:
    Human Resources
    Attn: Internships
    1410 Boston Ave., PO Box 15
    West Columbia, SC 29171-0015
    Or fax it to: 803-896-6558

Email SCVRD Human Resources