Considering an Internship Program

CONSIDERING AN INTERNSHIP PROGRAMPresented by: Yolanda Macklin Crewe and

Darrell Mallory Easter

WHY HIRE AN INTERN? Interns are enthusiastic young people who provide fresh

perspectives, and new ideas and viewpoints

Proven, cost-effective way to recruit and evaluate potential employees Greater retention of newly hired employees

Interns allow flexibility in staffing needs Freedom for professional staff to pursue more creative projects Flexible, cost-effective work force not requiring a long-term employer

commitment Year round source of highly motivated pre-professionals Quality candidates for temporary or seasonal positions and projects

Visibility of your organization is increased on campus Interns are Effective PR Ambassadors

Employer/University ties are strengthened—Give Back to the Community

10 Benefits of Starting an Intern Program

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PREPARING FOR AN INTERN… RECRUITMENT PROCESS

1. Assess Your Project or Work Needs2. Create an Internship Position Description3. Establish a Timeline for Recruiting an Intern4. Market your Internship Position5. Interview and Select Your Intern6. Start a Successful Intern Program

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PREPARING FOR AN INTERN1. ASSESS YOUR PROJECT OR WORK NEEDS Set Goals

What do you want to accomplish; Write a Plan What experience do you want the intern to have Invite participation from all key people impacted by the intern

Determine the following: What area will the intern work (i.e. Acct., HR, Eng., etc.) Who will supervise intern and manage intern projects Will they be paid; How will they be paid How will students apply; Who will process applications/résumés;

Who will interview the students Where will the intern sit

Develop some quality projects the intern can complete The intern should develop some skills and experiences they can

include on their résumé Create Measurable Learning Objectives for the intern Internship: a rewarding experience for the employer and intern Sample Projects Handout

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PREPARING FOR AN INTERN2. POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position descriptions should include the following: Application Deadline How to Apply (email résumé and cover letter to; website)

Your Requirements (Minimum GPA, Major(s), Skills, Classification, etc.)

Internship Start Date (length of internship)

Project Descriptions and Company Information Share what’s in it for the intern/new hire What is the benefit of working with your organization

Compensation: Paid, Stipend or Academic Credit Make it Interesting

You are trying to get a college student’s interest in your organization!!!

Sample Position DescriptionsCareer Services

PREPARING FOR AN INTERN2. SAMPLE POSITION DESCRIPTION

ABC Services Any town, VA ▪ abcservices.com

Information Technology Internship

OverviewABC Services is a consulting company that serves and builds relationships with fortune 500 companies…

Internship ResponsibilitiesDevelop process flow diagramsDocumentation and testing of new software applications

Requirements or Qualifications Class year: Rising sophomores and juniorsMajor: Information Technology or related majors Must be enrolled in school during entire internshipMinimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or betterSharp analytical skills Excellent oral and written communication skills

Salary$15.00 per hour, no benefits.

Application Deadline July 31, 2012

How to Apply Interested applicants must submit a résumé and a cover letter to the following email address: [email protected]

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PREPARING FOR AN INTERN3. ESTABLISH A TIMELINE FOR RECRUITING AN INTERN

Sample Timeline August 1st—E-mail position description to Career Services

August 15th—Touch base with VSU Career Services to determine status of applications (marketing)

August 22nd—Student Application Deadline

August 23rd-24th—Review student résumés and select candidates for interviews

August 27th—E-mail Career Services list of candidates selected for interviews; contact students for interview

August 28th-29th—Students sign up for interview timeslots

September 5th—Conduct interviews

September 7th—Make internship/employment offer

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PREPARING FOR AN INTERN4. MARKET YOUR INTERNSHIP POSITION

Mail flyers to Career Services for posting on campus Include Application Deadline, How to apply,

Organization logo and web address Make a Presentation on Campus

Information Session Information Table Student Organizations Student Newspaper Advertisement

Utilize Student Ambassadors Other Ways to Recruit on Campus

Career Expos Mock Interviews

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PREPARING FOR AN INTERN5. INTERVIEW AND SELECT AN INTERN Utilize VSU Career Services for On-Campus

Interviews Convenient for student Career Services will coordinate interview process—

Free!

Determine who will review résumés, select & interview candidates, make internship offer

Establish a timeline for interviewing and selecting your intern August 23rd-24th—Review student résumés and select candidates

for interviews August 27th—E-mail Career Services list of candidates selected for

interviews; contact students for interview August 28th-29th—Students sign up for interview timeslots September 5th—Conduct interviews September ??—Conduct 2nd Round of Interviews September ??—Make internship/employment offer

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PREPARING FOR AN INTERN6. START A SUCCESSFUL INTERN PROGRAM

Tips on making an internship successful Orient the intern to the organization and

department (part of team)

Work Hours, dress, culture (organization & department), etc.

Establish goals & objectives and discuss with the intern within the first week Learning Contract…Expectations!!! If student is receiving academic credit…make sure all

requirements are being met

Give periodic feedback and evaluations Mid-term evaluation Final evaluation

Intern should have a mentor (formal or informal) in addition to a supervisor

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10 CONCERNS OF INTERNS

1. Give us real work2. Do what you say…and say what you do!3. We like feedback4. We want to be included too5. Please explain your project/assignment6. I want a mentor7. A minute of your time please8. Be Prepared…when I arrive9. Um…I need a chair10. Show me the money (as best you can)Resource: Starting an Internship Program, Michael True, Messiah College

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I WANT TO HOST A VSU INTERN!VSU INTERNSHIP PROGRAM…SUMMER, FALL & SPRING

1. E-mail your position description to [email protected] or [email protected]

Career Services will post your position within 48 hours on our website

2. Market Your Internship Mail Flyers for Posting around campus

3. Conduct On-Campus Interviews Contact Internship Coordinator, Darrell Easter, to

coordinate your on campus interview

4. E-mail Internship Documents1. Notify Career Services of Interns Selected2. E-mail Learning Contract or Internship

Goals/Objectives1. Supervisor Contact Information

3. E-mail Internship Evaluation

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VSU INTERNSHIP PROGRAM“LEARNING IN ACTION”

Current Participating Employers Petersburg Chamber of Commerce Petersburg National Battlefield The Cameron Foundation Congressman J.R. Forbes Congressional District

Office Senator Jim Webb, Richmond District 19 Community Services Board CDF at Home of VA Baptist Children’s Home

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VSU Career Services supports students from all academic departments School of Agriculture

Agriculture, Family & Consumer Sciences, Hospitality Mgmt.

School of Business Accounting & Finance, MIS, Management, and Marketing

School of Engineering, Science & Technology Biology, Chemistry & Physics, Nursing, and Psychology Mfg. & Computer Engineering; Electronics Eng., Mechanical Eng.,

Industrial & Logistics Technology; Mathematics and Computer Science

School of Liberal Arts and Education Teaching & Learning; HPERD; History & Philosophy; Sociology, Social

Work & Criminal Justice; Political Science & Public Administration; Music, Art & Design; Military Science; Languages & Literature

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VSU CAREER SERVICESSAVE THE DATE Business Week Career Expo,

Wednesday, September 26, 2012, 12-5 p.m. Government & Non-Profit Expo,

Thursday, October 25, 2012, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. STE(A)M Expo (Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture and Math)

Tuesday, October 30, 2012, 1-5 p.m. Mass Communications, Sales & Sport Mgmt. Expo,

Wednesday, November 14, 2012, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Education & Counseling Expo,

Tuesday, February 19, 2013, 4-7 p.m. Hospitality Leadership & Career Expo,

March 2013, Time TBA

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Internship Program Coordinator Darrell Mallory Easter [email protected] or [email protected] 804-524-5407 or 804-524-5211

Thank You!

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CONSIDERING AN INTERNSHIP PROGRAMPresented by: Yolanda Macklin Crewe and

Darrell Mallory Easter

DO YOU HAVE TO PAY INTERNS? According to the U.S. Department of Labor, FLSA,

Internships in the “for-profit” private sector will most often be viewed as employment, unless the test described relating to trainees is met.

Interns in the “for-profit” private sector who qualify as employees rather than trainees typically must be paid at least the minimum wage and overtime compensation for hours worked over forty in a workweek.

There are some circumstances under which individuals who participate in “for-profit” private sector internships or training programs may do so without compensation.

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DO YOU HAVE TO PAY INTERNS?TRAINEE STATUSYou don’t have to pay interns who qualify as trainees. The U.S. Department of Labor has outlined six criteria for determining trainee status:

The Interns must receive training from your company…similar to training which would be given in an educational environment The Internship experience is for the benefit of the intern; not the companyThe Interns cannot displace regular employees The employer that provides the training derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the intern; and on occasion it operations may actually be impededInterns are not guaranteed a job at the end of the internship (though you may decide to hire them at the conclusion of the experience) Interns are not entitled to wages during the internship

1. http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs71.pdf

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DO YOU HAVE TO PAY INTERNS?NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

Unpaid internships in the public sector and for non-profit charitable organizations, where the intern volunteers without expectation of compensation, are generally permissible.

The FLSA makes a special exception under certain circumstances for individuals who volunteer to perform services for a state or local government agency and for individuals who volunteer for humanitarian purposes for private non-profit food banks.

WHD also recognizes an exception for individuals who volunteer their time, freely and without anticipation of compensation for religious, charitable, civic, or humanitarian purposes to non-profit organizations.

WHD is reviewing the need for additional guidance on internships in the public and non-profit sectors.

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