The Dream . . .

Hire experienced new employees who already have the knowledge and skills to “hit the ground running.” But this dream conflicts with reality. How can organizations meet the needs of today and prepare the workforce of the future?

What Is An Internship?

An internship is any carefully monitored work or service experience in which a student has intentional learning goals and reflects actively on what she or he is learning throughout the experience. An internship:

• Is a time-limited experience of approximately three months and occurs during the fall, spring or summer semester.
  
• Is generally a one-time experience.
  
• May be part-time or full-time; paid or non-paid.
  
• May be part of an educational program and carefully monitored and evaluated for academic credit.
  
• May be part of a learning plan developed individually.
  
• Is different from a short-term job or volunteer work as it includes an intentional “learning agenda” in a structured work environment.
  
• Includes learning objectives, observation, reflection, evaluation and assessment.
  
• Has an existing employee working in the department/position to mentor and supervise the intern.
  
• Seeks to establish a reasonable balance between the intern’s learning goals and the specific work tasks of an organization.
  
• Promotes academic, career and/or personal development.

How Do Internships Benefit Employers?

• A year round source of highly motivated pre-professionals
  
• The opportunity to have new perspectives on various processes, procedures and programs
  
• Quality candidates for temporary or seasonal positions and projects
  
• The increased visibility of your organization on college campuses
  
• The freedom for professional staff to pursue other important projects and tasks
  
• A flexible, cost-effective work force that does not require a long-term employment commitment
  
• Prepared and trained new employees hired from your intern pool
  
• A proven, cost-effective way to recruit and evaluate potential employees

Adapted from materials published by the National Society for Experiential Education

Internship Program Design

An Internship Program That Meets Your Needs

As varied as organizations are in size, age, industry and product, so are their internship activities. How do you know what kind of program will work best for you?

Developing an internship program takes planning and collaboration with management. Coming to consensus on program goals that can be understood by all is critical to the success of an internship program. Formalizing an internship program with written goals, expectations and outcomes may address the concerns and needs of management and staff. As you prepare to formalize your internship program, answer the following questions:

• What does your organization hope to achieve from the program?
  
• Is your organization small or not-for-profit seeking additional help on projects?
  
• Is your organization fast-growing and having difficulty finding motivated new employees?
  
• Are you a not-for-profit with limited resources, but with an interesting and rewarding experience?
  
• Is your organization searching for employees and wishing to “try out” potential candidates through internships

See steps 1 thru 4 by following the links at the top of the page for detailed information regarding internship design.