Sauk Valley Community College
Early Childhood Education Program
Practicum Student Panel Interview
The panel interview is designed to assess if the student is ready to begin the practicum experience. The interview panel consists of the SVCC Early Childhood Coordinator, and SVCC counselor, worksite supervisors, and former Early Childhood Practicum students.
You and your SVCC counselor will determine if you are eligible for practicum consideration. This consideration will be based on the courses you have completed or are in the process of completing, and your grade point average.
If you are eligible for consideration, you will be notified by mail or phone, by the Early Childhood Coordinator. The letter or phone call will inform you as to when, where, and the time of your panel interview. You must submit to the SVCC Early Childhood Coordinator a professional resume before your panel interview. You will be notified by mail when the resume is due. Since one of the purposes of the panel interview is to provide you with a simulated job interview, you are expected to dress and conduct yourself in a professional manner.
Questions asked during the interview will be concerning your academic experience, worksite preference, availability of work hours, learning opportunities, career plans, supervision experiences and personality.
After the panel interview you will have written notification of acceptance or denial into the practicum portion of the Early Childhood Education program. If you are denied the opportunity to begin your practicum, you will be given a chance to meet with the SVCC Coordinator to discuss the reasons for the denial and to establish a plan for your future.
If you are accepted for practicum placement, you should start your worksite search immediately. Worksite options and guidelines are listed in this manual. It is the students’ responsibility to locate their own worksite. If you chose a worksite that has not been utilized by Sauk Valley Community College Early Childhood Education students in the past, the SVCC Early Childhood Coordinator must approve the site before you accept a practicum position. You must have the worksite finalized by the first day of the semester in which you are to begin your practicum.