Internship Guide

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Career Services defines an internship as a hands-on, career-related experience that supplements classroom academic experience to enhance the student’s education. Internships can be paid or unpaid, and students may or may not receive credit for the experience.

Interns should participate in activities that mirror the professional activities of their supervisors rather than performing clerical tasks that would otherwise be performed by assistants. Internships must include orientation, training, ongoing supervision and evaluation. See sidebar for more information on posting your internship in Handshake.

Internship information

We do not recommend that you require credit for internships because many students are not able to receive credit through their department. It is the intern’s responsibility to consult their academic department for guidance on receiving credit. If credit is required by you and a student is unable to receive it through their department, an alternative course has been set up through Career Services called CSVC 1000.

Disadvantages of requiring credit for unpaid internships

  • Â鶹ÒùÔº feel that employers are forcing them to get a credit that does not count toward graduation (if they can’t get a department to sponsor them), in addition to paying the cost of tuition (for any course).
  • Recent court rulings have possibly changed the way courts assess unpaid internship legality. The following link is a news story about a case against Black Swan in which the judge sided with plaintiffs who had been unpaid interns. The judge went on to make this remark in talking about unpaid internships and credit:
    “Some employers have asserted that they have free rein not to pay interns as long as the interns are receiving college credit. But Judge Pauley said receiving academic credit was of little importance in determining whether interns should be paid.â€

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5 tips for employers for internshipsÌý

Onboarding and expectations:

  • Clearly outline internship timelines and expectations.
  • During the first week, communicate professional expectations, including dress code, communication norms and time tracking.
  • Schedule regular check-ins to discuss goals, projects and provide feedback.

Meaningful work:

  • Assign projects and tasks that align with company objectives and foster professional growth.
  • Ensure interns can see the impact of their academic knowledge in real-world scenarios.
  • Highlight how internships serve as the first practical application of university education.

Skill building:

  • Utilize internships to develop skills that complement classroom learning.
  • Offer opportunities to learn specific software, tools and transferable knowledge essential for the workforce.
  • Provide avenues for professional development and growth.

Networking opportunities and mentorship:

  • Facilitate interactions with professionals outside the intern’s discipline and college to broaden their perspective.
  • Implement mentorship programs to support intern growth and industry insight.

Evaluation and feedback:

  • Foster a welcoming environment where questions and feedback are encouraged.
  • Regularly check in on interns' goals and satisfaction with the internship.
  • Communicate feedback frequently to guide intern development.