VRC Student InternAt — CSUF - Veterans Resource Center

The Women’s Conference Intern will assist in organizing and executing the 2025 Women Veterans in Higher Education Conference. This year’s conference theme, \\Creative Expression Through Art Therapy,\\ highlights the positive mental health benefits of art therapy for female veterans. The intern will play an essential role in ensuring the event’s success by supporting event logistics, outreach, and content development while gaining valuable experience in event planning and mental health advocacy.

Learning Outcomes  

Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between art therapy and mental health by researching, designing, and implementing programming that highlights the benefits of creative expression for female veterans.

Develop event planning and coordination skills by organizing workshops, managing logistics, and collaborating with stakeholders to ensure a successful conference experience.

Exhibit effective communication and promotional abilities through creating outreach materials, engaging with community partners, and fostering participation among attendees.

Apply reflective practice and critical thinking by analyzing participant feedback and evaluating the impact of art therapy sessions on attendees' mental well-being.

Training  

Provide mentorship and guidance: I will meet regularly with the student to discuss their progress, offer constructive feedback, and ensure they are confident in executing their tasks effectively.

Facilitate access to resources: I will connect the intern with relevant tools, materials, and contacts, including research on art therapy and its benefits, as well as training sessions for event planning and communication.

Encourage hands-on experience: I will assign meaningful responsibilities, such as organizing workshops, coordinating logistics, and managing aspects of the conference, to ensure they apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting.

Promote reflective practice: I will encourage the student to maintain a reflective journal or provide post-event evaluations to analyze what they’ve learned and how their contributions have impacted the event’s success.

Create networking opportunities: I will introduce the student to professionals and organizations in the fields of mental health, art therapy, and veteran support to broaden their understanding and connections.

Foster a supportive learning environment: I will ensure the student feels comfortable asking questions and expressing ideas, promoting a culture of growth and collaboration.

Tasks/Duties  

Event Planning and Coordination:

Assist with scheduling, venue setup, and logistics for workshops and presentations.
Coordinate with speakers, facilitators, and vendors to ensure seamless execution.
Organize art therapy sessions and secure supplies for creative activities.

Promotion and Engagement:
Develop promotional materials such as flyers, social media posts, and email campaigns.
Engage with female veterans to encourage participation through targeted outreach.
Collaborate with university departments and community partners to maximize event visibility.

Program Development:
Help design interactive art therapy workshops aligned with the conference theme.
Research the benefits of art therapy and incorporate findings into session content.
Identify and liaise with keynote speakers and experts in art therapy or veteran mental health.

Administrative Support:
Track and manage attendee registrations.
Create and distribute event schedules and agendas.
Collect and analyze participant feedback post-conference to assess program impact.