Academic Internship Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Description
Launch Your Social Work Career Where You Can Make a Real Difference
Social Work Intern (BSW/MSW Practicum)
Families & Communities Rising (FCR), Inc. | Durham & Orange Counties, NC
You're not just looking for a practicum. You're looking for purpose.
At Families & Communities Rising (FCR), you'll gain hands-on experience helping children and families overcome real-life challenges while developing the skills needed to become an exceptional social worker.
If you're passionate about advocacy, family engagement, and creating lasting community impact, we'd love to invest in your professional journey.
As an FCR Social Work Intern, you'll work alongside experienced professionals and receive meaningful supervision while you:

• Support children and families enrolled in Head Start and Early Head Start
• Participate in family assessments, home visits, and case planning
• Connect families with housing, healthcare, mental health, financial, and community resources
• Collaborate with educators, family advocates, health professionals, and community partners
• Help plan family engagement events and educational workshops
• Strengthen your documentation, case management, and professional practice skills

Why Choose FCR?

• Choose your lane (or a few): family engagement, case support, program operations, community partnerships - placements can span one area or several, based on your goals

• Every placement is aligned with the nine CSWE 2022 EPAS social work competencies, so your hours count toward what your program actually requires
• Hands-on supervision from a dedicated Practicum Supervisor
• Work grounded in FCR's mission: educating and empowering children, families, communities, and organizations through unique educational and supportive services
• Flexible scheduling coordinated with your university
• Professional development and networking opportunities

Most importantly, you'll leave with experiences that employers value-and stories that remind you why you chose social work.
We're looking for students who are:

• Currently enrolled in an accredited BSW or MSW program
• Eligible for an approved field placement through their college or university
• Passionate about serving children, families, and communities
• Strong communicators who value empathy, professionalism, and collaboration

Internship Details

• Type: Unpaid Academic Internship

• Schedule: Part-time; coordinated with your academic program and practicum supervisor

• Location: Durham & Orange Counties, NC

Our Mission
To educate and empower children, families, communities, and organizations by delivering unique educational and supportive services.
If you're ready to turn classroom knowledge into meaningful impact, we'd love to help launch your career.
Apply today and begin making a difference-one child, one family, one community at a time.
Requirements
Position Summary
The Social Work Intern supports Families & Communities Rising, Inc. (FCR) by assisting with family engagement, case support, and community resource coordination for children and families enrolled in FCR's Head Start, Early Head Start, and related programs. Working under the direct supervision of an assigned Practicum Supervisor, the intern applies social work theory and practice in a real-world program setting while advancing FCR's mission to educate and empower children, families, communities, and organizations by delivering unique educational and supportive services.
An internship may be structured within a single practicum area or may draw upon two or more areas, depending on the student's learning objectives, academic program requirements, and agency need. Regardless of placement area(s), this internship is aligned with and designed to build proficiency in the nine social work competencies established by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE 2022 EPAS).
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Represent FCR professionally in all interactions with children, families, staff, and community partners.
• Maintain confidentiality of family and program information consistent with FCR policy and applicable privacy and ethical standards.
• Complete required onboarding, background clearances, and training prior to beginning any direct family or child contact.
• Adhere to FCR's Standards of Conduct, code of ethics, and applicable social work licensure board standards.
• Participate in regular supervision, case consultation, and practicum evaluation meetings with the assigned Practicum Supervisor.
Major Duties/Functions/Responsibilities:
Family & Case Support: Assist in conducting family needs assessments and goal-setting activities under supervisor guidance; support families in connecting to community resources such as housing, mental health, healthcare, and financial assistance; participate in home visits, family conferences, and case staffings as assigned; and assist with documentation of family contacts, referrals, and services in program data systems.
Program & Community Engagement: Support family engagement activities, workshops, and events; collaborate with classroom, health, disabilities, and family engagement staff to support a coordinated service approach; assist in identifying community resources and building partnerships that benefit enrolled families; and contribute to program reporting and quality improvement efforts as assigned.
FCR, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, drug-free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.
Professional Development: Complete practicum learning objectives and assignments required by the intern's academic program; apply supervision feedback to strengthen social work practice skills; and participate in relevant staff training and professional development opportunities.
Qualifications and Knowledge/Skills Required
• Current enrollment in an accredited BSW or MSW program in good standing.
• Field placement agreement executed between FCR and the intern's academic institution.
• Working knowledge of social work ethics, practice principles, and confidentiality requirements.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse children, families, and staff.
• Reliable transportation for home visits or community-based activities, if applicable to the placement.
• Successful completion of required background checks and health clearances consistent with FCR policy.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an intern to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
1. Sitting and Standing: Spends time both seated at a desk and standing or walking throughout classrooms, offices, and community settings.
2. Lifting and Carrying: Must be able to occasionally lift and carry program materials weighing up to 15 pounds.
3. Movement: Requires bending, reaching, and moving throughout centers and community locations to support families and staff.
4. Visual and Auditory Attention: Requires attentiveness needed for direct engagement with children, families, and staff, as well as accurate documentation.
5. Travel: Must be able to travel between FCR sites and community locations as required by placement activities.
Work Environment
Primary Setting: FCR program offices, Head Start/Early Head Start centers, and community-based locations.
Team Collaboration: Works closely with the Practicum Supervisor and program staff, including regular check-ins and case consultation.
Paperwork and Documentation: Maintains accurate records of family contacts, referrals, and services, including entering information in program data systems as directed by the supervisor.
Cultural Sensitivity: The work environment requires being culturally sensitive and respecting the diversity of the families, staff, and community being served. Effective communication and understanding of cultural differences are important.
Technology Use: Uses relevant software and technology, including word processing, email, and program data systems, for documentation, reporting, and communication.
Schedule: Hours are arranged in coordination with the intern's academic program and FCR's Practicum Supervisor and may include occasional evenings for family events.