What began as a passion driven effort to support youth aging out of foster care has grown into a structured, high impact program serving young adults across Texas. As Beacon Center continues to expand, interns play a critical role in sustaining and strengthening our services. What sets our internship experience apart is not just the tasks assigned, but the intention behind the work. Interns are immersed in real world social service delivery, where they learn to assess, engage, and support youth with purpose and accountability. Through direct involvement in case management, life skills development, and program operations, interns are essential in helping us provide consistent, meaningful support while also developing the next generation of professionals committed to this work.

Beacon Center Internship Program – Social Work Intern

Position Overview

Beacon Center is seeking highly motivated and passionate individuals to join our social work Internship Program. This opportunity is designed for students currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Social Work (BSW/MSW) who are interested in gaining hands-on experience supporting transitioning youth and young adults.

Beacon Center partners closely with the University of Texas at Arlington and is open to building relationships with additional local institutions. Interns will have access to a team of Licensed Clinical social workers (LCSWs) who provide field supervision and guidance in alignment with university requirements. Due to the organization’s flexible and largely remote structure, many internship hours can be completed virtually; however, in-person engagement with youth is highly encouraged to enhance the learning experience.

This internship is grounded in the core competencies of social work practice, including ethical and professional behavior, engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation across micro and macro levels. Interns are expected to demonstrate ethical decision-making and professional conduct in alignment with the NASW Code of Ethics, including service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. All intern activities will be conducted within the scope of their training and under appropriate supervision.

Learning Opportunities

 Beacon Center offers a range of internship experiences to support both micro and macro social work interests. Interns will engage in meaningful, real-world work that contributes to program development, client support, and community impact.

Interns will gain experience in:

  • Direct practice with youth and families

  • Case management and resource navigation

  • Program development and evaluation

  • Community engagement and advocacy

  • Nonprofit operations and sustainability

  • Documentation, professional communication, and interdisciplinary collaboration

The program is designed to provide flexibility while ensuring a well-rounded and valuable learning experience.

Expectations and Work Style

Beacon Center values interns who demonstrate initiative, accountability, and self-direction. While guidance, supervision, and team support are readily available, this is not a highly structured environment. Interns are expected to take ownership of their experience by utilizing available resources, engaging in problem-solving, and proactively seeking support when needed.

Due to the flexible and often remote nature of the internship, strong time management and internal motivation are essential. Interns must remain engaged, organized, and communicative to ensure responsibilities are completed in a timely and professional manner.

Interns are expected to:

  • Communicate effectively and professionally

  • Maintain accountability for assigned tasks

  • Demonstrate ethical decision-making

  • Seek consultation and supervision when appropriate

  • Engage collaboratively with peers and supervisors

Ongoing engagement and accountability are required to remain in good standing within the internship.

Ideal Candidate

  • Currently enrolled in a BSW or MSW program

  • Self-motivated and able to work independently

  • Strong communication and organizational skills

  • Willing to engage both virtually and in person when possible

  • Interested in working with transitioning youth and young adults

  • Open to both micro and macro social work experiences

Placement and Structure

At the start of the internship, interns will meet with an administrator to discuss their interests, strengths, and preferred areas of focus. Based on this conversation, interns will be placed within a team that aligns with their learning goals.

As the semester progresses, interns may have opportunities to support additional teams to gain broader experience and complete hours. This structure encourages collaboration, peer connection, and exposure to multiple aspects of nonprofit and social work practice.

Interns should be comfortable using Google Workspace and willing to learn additional online management tools as needed.

Intern Responsibilities

All interns are expected to complete assigned tasks and contribute meaningfully to the organization. As a nonprofit organization, Beacon Center relies on the dedication and accountability of its interns to sustain services.

If an intern is unable to complete a task, it is their responsibility to communicate promptly with administration and seek support. Professional communication, accountability, and ethical responsibility are essential components of this role and reflect the professional and ethical standards of the social work profession

Supervision and Support

Interns will participate in regular supervision to review progress, discuss challenges, and support professional development. Supervision is intended to promote ethical practice, skill development, and integration of classroom learning into real-world application.


‍ ‍Supplemental Hours

Additional tasks may be offered throughout the internship that do not fall within a specific track. These may include research projects, group learning activities, case scenario discussions, or organizational support tasks (e.g., social media, site research).

Supplemental hours are intended to enhance the internship experience and should not exceed more than half of total internship hours.




What are you hoping to gain from this internship, and what drew you to a nonprofit serving foster youth?

Intern Tracks and Responsibilities

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    Nonprofit Management (Macro Focus)

    This team supports the day-to-day operations and sustainability of Beacon Center. Responsibilities may include compliance tracking, research, fundraising support, and assisting with administrative and operational processes. Interns may focus on a specific area while also contributing across functions due to the collaborative nature of nonprofit work. The team may also explore opportunities for community partnerships and organizational growth.

    Compliance responsibilities may include:

    Updating documentation on systems (Tebra)

    Uploading documentation into appropriate portals

    Checking for accuracy

    Ensuring appropriate documentation is uploaded for state compliance for transitioning youth, not limited to monthly case management notes

     Updating intern information and task boards

    Financial responsibilities may include:

    Ensuring Beacon Center is receiving the appropriate stipends for each Beacon

    Submitting discrepancy reports as needed

    Assisting with development of financial documentation and budgets

    Supporting the creation of policies, procedures, and templates

    Fundraising responsibilities may include:

    Work as a group to brainstorm what event Beacon should orchestrate

    Propose fundraising ideas

    Connecting with the community to promote fundraising efforts

    Research appropriate locations and resources needed

    Schedule and ensure completion or development of fundraiser

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    Grant Team Description

    The grant team focuses on identifying and securing funding opportunities to sustain and expand services.

    Grant team responsibilities may include:

    Researching applicable grant opportunities

    Preparing and submitting grant applications

    Communicating with external organizations regarding requirements

    Maintaining a tracking system for grant submissions and deadlines

    Collaborating with team members to meet application requirements

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    Clinical Practice (Micro Focus)

    This track provides opportunities for supervised, direct engagement with transitioning youth.

    Counseling responsibilities may include:

    Supporting skill-building, emotional regulation, and goal setting under supervision

    Participating in or co-facilitating sessions as appropriate

    Assisting with development of documentation (e.g., progress notes)

    Applying trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches

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    Case Management Description

    Case managers work directly with transitioning youth to connect them to resources and support stability and independence.

    Case management responsibilities may include:

    Assisting youth in locating and accessing community resources

    Supporting applications for programs and services

    Maintaining regular communication (minimum weekly check-ins)

    Completing monthly case management documentation

    Communicating with external providers (e.g., case managers) under supervision when appropriate

  • At-Last Description (In-Person Opportunity)

    AL is a program serving youth in Kindergarten through 5th grade through after-school and overnight support services (staffed and supervised). This track is ideal for interns seeking in-person experience.

    AL responsibilities may include:

    Providing supportive guidance and age-appropriate skill-building activities for children

    Providing supervision and support to children

    Assisting with program development and structured activities

    Building relationships with children and families

    Offering resources and guidance to caregivers

    Support with administrative duties on site

  • Individual Passion Project

    Some individuals may not live in the state of Texas or near a Beacon Center. Others could be living nearby, but have a specific goal in mind that they’d like to develop and advocate for. These students should request from administration to be assigned under the Passion Project. 

    This is an opportunity for interns who are highly motivated and responsible to pursue a personal project related to Beacon Center. This is great for people who may want to work on developing programs, open a new Beacon Center,  researching transitional teen services in a specific area, or are passionate about a way they think could be beneficial to transitional youth. 

    Passion project responsibilities may include: 

    Researching, developing, and implementing passion project

    Effectively communicate with communities

    Have a creative idea you are willing to see through

    Using social work strategies to support an underprivileged community