Advice for Starting an Internship Program Planning for an effective internship or co-op from the very beginning is a good way to insure a successful experience. A few guidelines are offered below to assist you in your early planning.
Ask yourself some realistic questions. - Can you provide meaningful work assignments?
- Is there a professional staff person to supervise interns?
- Do your top managers and employees want to have interns on-site?
- Can you provide financial support (salary, gas money, supplies, etc.)?
- Do you have sufficient office space?
Create Effective Job Descriptions
The quality of students attracted to your listed positions sometimes depends upon the quality of your announcement. In addition to the position title, hours, salary, and location, describe the duties, qualifications and application instructions in terms that will attract students. Provide enough detail to identify specific academic disciplines and learning objectives. One-line descriptions are not sufficient. Reference descriptive material such as your website.
Carefully Select the Site Supervisor Is this a professional member of your staff who is committed to and capable of developing people? Does this person have the time to supervise interns?
Review resumes and/or applications and interview students. Do not automatically accept interns without conducting interviews.
When An Intern Has Been Selected Discuss start and end dates with the selected student. Agree on days and times they will be expected to be on site. Provide intern with information regarding work attire. Notify your permanent employees when the intern will be starting and provide them with background information about the projects the intern will be doing. Set up work space for the intern. Complete the Learning Agreement offered by the Career Center.
During the Course of the Internship Orient the intern and get them started on assignments. Provide any necessary training. Meet with the intern on a regular basis to provide feedback and insure projects are on track. Evaluate the intern's performance. Seek and provide feedback. Ask interns to complete the Student Evaluation regarding their experience with your organization. Have the site supervisor complete the Employer Evaluation of the student intern and return it to our office. Write recommendations, if appropriate. Ask interns to discuss their experience with your organization. Identify improvements to your internship program and make revisions.
Other Helpful Hints - Productivity
- Though periods do occur when the workload is low, every effort should be made to keep the student occupied with meaningful, productive assignments. Student assignments should mirror those normally given to new, inexperienced, entry-level professionals.
- Responsibility
- A gradual increase in the level of responsibility in assignments will serve to keep the student motivated and challenged throughout the placement period.
- Accomplishment
- Interns should be made to feel they have accomplished some piece of work or project that contributed to the departmental or organizational objectives.
- Professional Development
- Attention should be given to help the student develop a sense of professionalism. Assignments and supervisor's meetings with the student might relate to what is expected of new professionals and typical career paths in your particular field.
- Look Ahead
- Should a student become a permanent employee in the future, the investment made can yield significant payoffs, such as, reduced costs of training, quicker assimilation as a member of your organization, and increased productivty in a shorter span of time.
Internships
Advice for Starting an Internship Program
Suggested Documentation
Types of Experiential Learning
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