Best Practices for a Successful Internship Program
Diane Mellon, M.S.Ed.Coordinator of Experiential Learning Programs, USF Tampa
Ben Heins, M.F.A.Coordinator of Internships and Service Learning, USF Sarasota-Manatee
Content adapted with permission of Madeline Heath (NCF) and Michele Groves (SCF).
Present
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Future
Interns v. Part-Time Staff
What is an Internship?According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), an internship is a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting.
Internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career paths; and give employers the opportunity to guide and evaluate talent.
● For-credit and not-for-credit ≠ Pay● Specific learning objectives● Theory to Practice● Mentor with expertise● Ongoing reflection and evaluation● Start date and end date
Interns v. Part-Time Staff:Interns
● Hired already having most necessary skills/experience
● Minimal mentorship or guidance● Not usually accompanied by
learning objectives● Can continue without end date
Interns v. Part-Time Staff:Part-Time Employees
Hosting a Quality
Internship Program
● Real work assignments and projects● Supervisor with educator’s mindset and
expertise ● Reciprocity of work (mutually-beneficial)
Transferable skill development and learningobjectives/goals
● Time and commitment to guide, mentor, and give routine feedback to intern
Need + Infrastructure:Better Internship, Better Intern
● Internship position description with clear expectations
● Program syllabusWeekly learning objectives coveredWeekly topics coveredWeekly projects/goals
Need + Infrastructure:Better Internship, Better Intern (cont.)
Private Sector Unpaid Internships
• Glorified, Extended Shadowing Experience
• Pass the Test...
Avoiding The Man:Fair Labor Standards Act (DOL)
● Mutual Understanding of Zero Compensation
● Experience Mirrors Educational Setting
● Student Enrolled in an Internship Course
● Experience Corresponds with Academic Calendar
Avoiding The Man:Seven Factors of Consideration/ MOUs
(Cont.)
● Work Must End When Student Meets Learning Objectives
● Work Must Complement, Not Displace, Paid Staff
● Mutual Understanding of No Guaranteed Employment Post-Internship
Avoiding The Man:Seven Factors of Consideration/ MOUs
● At Least Minimum Wage
● Overtime Pay Required, When Applicable
● Statistically More Valuable to Both Parties
● ...Also, More Competitive!
Avoiding The Man:When in Doubt, Pay It Out!
● Start/End Date Important to consider semesters
● Milestones/Deliverables Learning Objectives/OutcomesInclude Timeline
● Work Setup Office/Remote/Travel Required
● Types of Support from Employer TeamAccess to Professional DevelopmentNetworking opportunities
● Stipend and/or Hourly Payment
Internship Description:The Details
● Brief, Bulleted Project DescriptionLess HR…more what you actually do!
● Ideal StakeholdersWho will the student be interacting with?
● Organized List of Benefits for All PartiesWhat is the benefit to the student?Why should they apply/accept your internship?
Internship Description:Position/Project Summary
● Brief, Bulleted ListRemember, these are still students
● Necessary Skills to Work on Employer Team
Set students up for success
● Try to Avoid Targeting Specific MajorsIf possible – expands potential candidate pool
Internship Description:Minimum and Preferred Skills
● Brief Summary
● Contact Information
● Relevant Location(s)
Internship Description:About the Organization
Recruiting Gen Z…
And
Beyond!
Campus Outreach:Recruit and Promote
Handshake…One-Stop Resource! ● FREE for employers to create and
manage a single profileAll 3 USF campuses700+ Colleges Nationally
● Job posting and applicant filteringStudents AND AlumniDirectly message individual students*
● Schedule on-campus interviews
● Register for events and career fairs
● Set up your organization’s events and info sessions
(Cont.)
● Tabling in student centers
● Events/Career Fairs
● Classroom Presentations
● Information Sessions
● Sponsorship/Scholarship
Campus Outreach:Recruit and Promote
● Social MediaAcceptable = LinkedIn & Handshake,
Messaging Tools
Unacceptable = Anything Else
● PhoneCall, Don’t Text
● EmailUse Email Listed on Resume
Navigating Connections:A Shift in the Paradigm
Personal
Seek First to Understand...Be Happy and ApproachableAsk About Their Career Search Process
...Then to Be UnderstoodPitch EffectivelyBe Flexible and Open
Navigating Connections:A Shift in the Paradigm
Good News and Bad News Spread…
Navigating Connections
(Peer Groups, Parents, and Social Media)
Retaining Gen Z…
And
Beyond!
● Introduction to work environment (Company mission, culture, and values)
Provides an instant boost in moraleIncreases productivityImproves compliance of policies
● Welcome LetterOrient and welcome intern to team
Orientation + Onboarding:The Why and Welcome
● Internship Overview
● Intro to Company
● New Intern Paperwork
● Handbook and Policies
● Technology
● Tour and Intros to Staff
● Bonus - Acquire Gifts of Welcome (hats, mugs, pens)
Orientation + OnboardingCoordinate a First Day Agenda
First meeting with intern
• Discuss how the mission of the company and culture relates to the intern’s role & projects
• State clear expectations
• Give guidelines
• Answer any questions
Orientation + Onboarding:Internship Meetings
● Schedule Weekly 1:1 Meetings
● Conduct Midpoint and Final Performance Reviews
Use Your Own Review Template…or the College/University’s
● Provide Professional Development and Networking Opportunities
Effective Execution:Maintaining an Excellent Impression
● Give a Talent Referral
● Acknowledge Recruitment Cycles
● Remember:
Good Students Want Good Internships
Good AND Bad News Spreads
Full-Time Opportunities:Post-Internship Success
Present
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Future
Post-Internship Success
● Light-Bulb Moments
● One Major Improvement
● Next Action Item
Let’s Chat!
Diane Mellon, M.S.Ed.Coordinator,
Experiential Learning ProgramsUSF Tampa
Ben Heins, M.F.A.Coordinator,
Internships and Service LearningUSF Sarasota-Manatee
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