Guidelines and Procedures

Experiential Learning

• Supports the College's mission: To develop competent, ethical leaders for service in the workplace, community, Church, and world.
• Every major program of study has a required internship component
• Internships enhance students' readiness for the transition from college to career, as well as give them an advantage in the graduate admissions process, in the competition for entry-level positions, and in the acheivement of career satisfaction.

Purpose of Internship

• To prepare students for a career in their chosen field by integrating their academic coursework with practical application of theory base learned in the classroom.
• To provide an opportunity for students to acquire knowledge, refine skills and abilities, and obtain valuable work experience to enhance their job and/or graduate studies following their baccalaureate degree.

Undergraduate Internship Guidelines

• Students may not intern at a site where a relative is their designated site supervisor.
• Students may not use a current employment position for internship credit.
• Internship sites, whether on-campus or off-campus, must go through an approval process prior to accepting a student as an intern. Approval is based on the following criteria:

1. The site is able to abide by the internship guidelines set by the College.
2. The site has the ability to train and supervise undergraduate interns.
3. The site is able to provide tasks and projects that align with students' learning objectives and program of study.
4. The site is able to accomodate the minimum number of clock hours necessary for the completion of the credit requirements within students' disciplines.
5. The designated site supervisors possess qualifications and experience in the area over which they are supervising.

Student Responsibility

1. Declare a Major

• Prior to starting internship, students must declare a major and complete a minimum of 15 credits of upper division course work within that major.

2. Develop a Professional Resume and References

• These items will be used in the interview process for internships.
• Students should gear their resume to a particular position.
• The Career Center provides workshops and individual critique sessions.

3. Secure a Site

• Students will select two to three different sites with which to interview.
• Students can initiate relationships with new sites as long as the sites go through the approval process.

4. Complete a Site Contract

• With thier faculty advisor, students will identify specific objectives related to their career goals that they want to accomplish through their internship.
• With their site supervisor, students will identify daily tasks and projects that will help them meet their objectives.
• Students will not be permitted to register and/or start internship until the contract has been completed.

5. Register for Internship

• Obtain the instructor's signature for Internship.
• Register for the appropriate number of credits according to major requirements(Internship credit requirements vary from major to major).

6. Document Hours

• The number of credits impacts the number of required clock hours.
  • For every 1 credit of internship, 45 clock hours of documented work at an approved internship site is required. For example: 3 credits of internship equates to 135 clock hours per semester. The student must average 9-10 hours per week over 15 weeks.
• A time sheet is provided by Career Development.

7. Evaluate Performance

• Both the student and supervisor are required to complete two sets of evaluations - one mid-semester and one at the end of the semester.
• Forms are provided by Career Development.

8. Reflect on Personal Progress

• Students are required to write a five-page paper describing their internship experience and how it relates to their career goals. They will include the challenges they have overcome, lessons they have learned, and new skills and abilities they have acquired.

Collaboration and Accountability

The Role of Faculty

• Faculty serve as academic advisors and experts in the field.
• Faculty provide guidance in establishing appropriate learning objectives for students according to their major.
• Faculty sign the various forms (site contracts, student evaluations, time sheets).
• Faculty utilize their professional network to refer potential sites to Career Development.

The Role of Site Supervisors (Employers)

• Provide a job description for positions available.
• Train, supervise, and mentor students with the intent of providing hands-on application of field-specific theory and valuable work experience.
• Provide an opportunity for Career Development staff and/or faculty to visit the internship site.
• Complete student performance evaluation forms.
• Verify number of hours completed.

The Role of Career Development

• Provide and disseminate internship information to students, faculty, administration, and employers.
• Distribute forms and materials to students and employers.
• Coach students on developing a professional resume, preparing for interviews, selecting an appropriate site, and completing requirements in a timely manner.
• Monitor student progress by collecting and reviewing performance information (evaluation forms, reflection papers, site visits, etc.) in order to issue grades.
• Develop partnerships with local employers to establish quality internship experiences by conducting site visits and informational interviews.
• Provide intervention and mediation as needed.