"This course provides students with the opportunity to further develop or implement a prior course project. Students may also choose a new project or research topic that allows for additional application of knowledge and skills developed through the degree program. The practicum faculty will also help source projects for students through the Middlebury Institute network as needed.

This course gives you the space and structure to hone a specific skill area, revisit a competency you particularly enjoyed, and/or develop a project your organization or industry may need. What content did you enjoy and how might that shape your future career goals? While most leadership positions require some bit of all the content covered in your courses it is still worth envisioning whether you see yourself working more heavily on communication and outreach, research and analysis, assessment and evaluation, or training and organizational development in the near future?

Students will serve as and be paired with a peer mentor. The peer mentor will serve as a student reader and support their fellow student in developing and implementing the project. The course will include weekly activities that connect the student with their desired professional field of practice through sourcing a professional or alumni mentor, joining relevant associations, and developing a conference attendance or publishing plan. Students seeking to develop their own initiative or organization can also use the practicum course to incubate an idea or program. Practicum offers a supportive environment for you to test and implement your ideas. The course will conclude with a final deliverable, presentation, reflection, and professional development plan. Students will provide a 1-pager on their project idea two weeks prior to the start of the semester."