Internships

An internship is a practical, planned work-learning experience developed through a team effort by a student, a learning institution, and an organization. Internships may be full or part-time, paid or voluntary. Through the learning objectives developed by the intern, in consultation with the faculty member and site supervisor, the intern establishes a challenging learning experience in a real world setting. These objectives are used to evaluate the intern's learning and work performance.
 

 Purpose of an Internship

An internship should be a realistic, practical and planned work and learning experience. Employers should provide opportunities that will challenge the students skills and knowledge.

Internships provide the opportunity for students to:

  • Develop job skills
  • Experience career type work
  • Develop good work habits and interpersonal skills
  • Learn more about themselves
  • Contribute to the organization where they intern
  • Put content theory into practice

A student that wishes to use current employment as an internship should discuss this option with a Career Services Professional before completing an Internship Work Learning Agreement. Students are not encouraged to intern in situations where a family member or relative will directly supervise their internship.
 

 Student Eligibility for Credit

By the time students begin an internship period they must have:

A minimum academic standing of 2.0 accumulative GPA or higher,

Completed 58 accumulated credit hours toward graduation by the beginning of the internship period, if a candidate for a bachelor's degree, (Candidates for associate's degrees, 28 accumulated credit hours toward graduation)

Completed at least 9 credits in the major or minor concentration where the internship credit is to be taken.

Internships can be taken for up to 6 credits per semester, with a maximum of 12 credit hours toward graduation. One credit hour will be awarded for a minimum of 40 clock hours worked at the internship site. No more than 9 credit hours can be counted towards meeting the academic major requirements, and no more than 6 credit hours can be counted in meeting minor field requirements. (Interns may be required, at the discretion of the employing organization, to work more clock hours than are required for the credit a student is seeking).
 

 

Internship Period

Most students will seek to do their internship during either the Fall or Spring semester. However several students will enroll for the internship credit during the summer. When a student enrolls during either the Fall or Spring semester the internship is part of their total course load which could amount to as many as 18 credits or 4-6 courses including the internship course. This can influence the amount of time a student can spend at the workplace during any given week of the internship which the employer will need to find out so work assignments can be given to the intern appropriately. An intern's availability to the organization should be discussed with the intern prior to making a commitment to proceed with accepting the internship request.
 

 

The Host Organization Responsibilities

Designate a supervisor to act as a liaison with the university and to oversee the work and evaluate the intern. 

Provide a written job description that outlines the intern's duties and responsibilities

Provide guidance and advice to the intern with respect to the design and development of challenging and meaningful work experiences relative to the intern?s major field of study. Although an intern may need to perform occasional routine or "busy" work with which an organization needs help, these duties should not be the primary focus of the internship.

Supervise, train and evaluate the intern.

Notify the university of intent to change or terminate an intern?s assignment or of any concerns which arise during the internship.

The Site Supervisor Role

The site supervisor assists the intern in the process of learning from his or her work environment by providing meaningful experiences, a supportive atmosphere, and by serving as a professional mentor. To fulfill this role, the supervisor should provide:

Complete and return a mid-term and final intern Work Performance Evaluation form supplied by the university?s career services office. The evaluation is an important tool used by the faculty member to assign a final grade to the intern..

A general orientation to the site and a place to work

The training and information necessary to enable the student to perform assigned tasks

Opportunities for the intern to interact as a colleague with others at the site

On-going encouragement and support as well as suggestions for improvement of performance

Regularly scheduled meetings for reflective discussion about the experience or the organization and the profession in general

Whenever possible, give the intern the opportunity to attend staff, committee, or legislative meetings.

Explain to the intern how decisions are made. What are the options? What processes are followed to reach conclusions?

Help interns to understand their job in relation to other jobs.

Discuss career opportunities in the field and career paths of college graduates.

If problems do occur, speak directly with the intern. If you are unsure about how to deal with a particular situation, a phone call to the faculty advisor or Assistant Director of Career Services is recommended.

Site supervisors are free to interview those applicants in whom they are interested. Students who wish to obtain academic credit for an internship are responsible for meeting with a faculty advisor to discuss this process and any academic requirements to be fulfilled.

Should you need any additional information or have further questions, please contact the Career Services office at 616-222-1433 or email us at career@cornerstone.edu