NACE defines an internship as a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional workplace setting (across in-person, remote, or hybrid modalities). Internships provide students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience, develop social capital, explore career fields, and make connections in professional fields. In addition, internships serve as a significant recruiting mechanism for employers, providing them with the opportunity to guide and evaluate potential candidates.
NACE believes that an internship should include:
- A learning experience with a real-world opportunity to apply the knowledge gained in the classroom. It must not be simply to advance the operations of the employer or replace the work that a regular employee would routinely perform.
- Learned skills and knowledge that are transferable to other employment settings.
- A defined beginning and end that is mutually agreed upon and consistent with institutional sponsor guidelines and schedules.
- A position description with clear responsibilities and required/desired qualifications.
- Clearly defined learning objectives/goals supportive of the student’s academic program goals and institutional requirements.
- Direct supervision by a professional(s) with relevant expertise and educational and/or professional experience who provides productive feedback, guidance, and the resources and equipment necessary to successfully complete the assignment.
Internship Supervision
- Coordinate with the Faculty Sponsor, CCPD staff and the student to help the student to develop and describe learning goals and objectives as well as aligned internship activities. Encourage and support the student’s learning goals and objectives throughout the term of the internship assignment.
- Ensure the Internship Site Supervisor has knowledge of the student’s field. The student’s Internship Site Supervisor must have experience in the job the student is expected to perform to ensure the student has proper mentorship and guidance throughout the internship.
- Supply the student with 45 hours of work per credit received (ex. 3 credits=135 hours) for a supervised, meaningful, academically challenging (or enhancing) experience. For internships done in conjunction with practicum classes, student must be supplied with 120 hours of work. During the fall and spring semesters, this is approximately 8-12 hours per week for 3 credits. During the summer and winter sessions students have the option of interning full-time.
- Provide orientation to the student intern at the commencement of the internship that includes issues of safety and security
- Provide supervision for the student and assign duties that are career-related, progressive and challenging.
- Make available to the student equipment, supplies, and space necessary to perform his/her duties.
- Provide safe working facilities free from health and safety concerns including all forms of harassment. If the student will be directly exposed to any hazards in the work environment such as chemicals, commercial products (oil, cleaning solvents), bloodborne pathogens, or any other materials deemed hazardous by local, state or federal regulations, proper training and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be provided by the Internship Site. PPE includes such items as: protective eyewear, laboratory coats, appropriate gloves, hearing protection, respiratory protection (pursuant to the Internship Site’s Respiratory Protection Plan), safety shoes and hard hats.
- Ensure students are not incurring any out-of-pocket expenses towards any aspect of the internship.
- Ensure that regular workers are not displaced by student interns.
- Provide evaluations and documentation of performance as requested by the University. An evaluation is e-mailed to the Internship Site Supervisor during the semester or academic session. Completed evaluations are kept on file as well as forwarded to the student’s Faculty Sponsor to be considered when awarding a grade and issuing credit for the internship experience.
- Communicate Internship Site policies and standards to the student intern.
- If intern is a paid employee, assume liability for work-related injuries sustained by the intern, insofar, as such is required by State Workers’ Compensation statutes.
- Maintain commercial general liability insurance in an amount not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and professional liability insurance if the nature of the business requires professional licensure in amount not less than $1,000,000 per claim/$2,000,000 aggregate.
- Students may not transport passengers/clients in any vehicle at ANY time during the internship.
- If this is a paid internship, the Internship Site will comply with all applicable employment laws, including but not limited to those relating to Occupational Health & Safety (OSHA), payroll withholding, and unemployment compensation.
An internship arrangement for each student will be for one academic semester, summer session, winter session, or a period agreed upon by the Internship Site and the University.
In the event that the Internship Site is dissatisfied with the performance of a student, termination of the internship arrangement may be requested by the Internship Site, but only after the Assistant Director, Experiential Learning, or designee, has been notified in advance and a mutually satisfactory resolution cannot be achieved.
If a student presents an imminent health or safety concern at the Internship Site, the Internship Site may immediately remove the student, but will consult with the Assistant Director, Experiential Learning, or designee, as soon as possible.
Conversely, the University may request termination of the internship arrangement at its sole discretion for any student not complying with University guidelines and procedures for the internship program, including academic requirements and performance, as long as Internship Site personnel have been notified in advance and a mutually satisfactory resolution cannot be achieved.
