Embarking on your journey as a PLTL leader opens doors to a world of growth, learning, and contribution. Whether you’re aiming to enrich your academic journey or give back to your community, it’s crucial to choose the path that aligns with your goals. Here’s everything you need to know about the Volunteer and Internship Credit options to make an informed decision.
🌟 Volunteering: Empower, Educate, and Connect
Overview
Dive into a rewarding experience where your efforts light the way for fellow students. As a volunteer PLTL leader, you’ll cultivate a supportive learning environment, fostering academic excellence and personal growth. This path is perfect for those looking to contribute meaningfully while receiving counted hours for their time.
Key Highlights
- 👩🏫 Rich Leading Experience: Sharpen your mentoring abilities in a real-world educational setting.
- 🎖️ Volunteer Hours: Accumulate hours that shine on your resume/CV, ideal for applications to graduate programs or professional schools. FIU Honors College students can also benefit significantly from this option (check more about it here).
- 📧 Hours Letter: You will receive a letter at the end of the term detailing how many hours you have accumulated in the program so far as verification of your contribution to the program.
Note
- 🚫 Exclusive Path: Choosing to volunteer means you cannot request internship credits for your PLTL leadership role.
💼 Internship Credit: Enhance Your Academic Portfolio
Overview
Merge your leadership role with your academic progress by opting for internship credit. This path allows you to register your PLTL leadership as an official part of your coursework, appearing on your transcript and contributing to your experiential learning components without traditional academic obligations.
Key Highlights
- 📚 Accredited Credit: Earn credits as tangible recognition of your leadership and commitment.
- 🖊️ Formal Transcript Recognition: Enhance your academic record with a unique element that sets you apart.
- 📈 Skill Development: Hone skills that are pivotal both professionally and academically, with the added benefit of formal academic recognition.
- 🚫 Volunteer Hours Limitation: Leaders opting for internship credit cannot simultaneously request volunteer hours for the same role.
Special Considerations
- 🔄 Flexibility in Credits: Choose how many credits you earn based on the number of sessions you lead, offering you control over your workload and learning outcome.
- Zero Credit Option: Ideal for those seeking to participate without the financial burden of tuition fees. This option is perfect if you’re looking to gain the experience and recognition of being a PLTL leader with the academic credit. You’ll lead two sessions, mirroring the commitment required for one credit but without the associated cost.
- One Credit Option: Requires a commitment to lead two peer-led sessions and includes payment of tuition fees for the credit. This option contributes towards your academic progress and appears on your transcript, offering both recognition and academic value.
- Beyond One Credit: If you’re ambitious and seeking to maximize your leadership experience and academic recognition, you can opt for more than one credit. The program requires an additional two sessions for each additional credit earned. For example, earning four credits would entail leading eight sessions in total. This approach allows you to scale your involvement and the academic recognition you receive in line with the number of credits you’re aiming for.
- ✨ No Additional Academic Obligations: Focus solely on your leadership role without the pressure of extra academic requirements.
🛤️ Choosing Your Path
In the Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) program, your dedication and hard work remain consistent, regardless of the path you choose. Each role demands the same level of commitment: leading every session, adhering to program guidelines, and striving for excellence in your leadership role. The distinction lies in how you wish to have your efforts recognized and what benefits align best with your personal and professional aspirations.
Please know that both of these position allow the peer leader to request a letter of recommendation. You can only request a letter of recommendation after successfully completing the term as a leader. Find more information here.
🤔 Still Unsure?
We’re here to help you navigate your options. Reach out for guidance and support as you take the next step in your PLTL leadership journey.