best practices for a successful internship program · best practices for a successful internship...

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

+

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

+

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

813.974.9635dmellon@usf.edu

Ben Heins, M.F.A.Coordinator,

Internships and Service LearningUSF Sarasota-Manatee

941.359.4357heins@sar.usf.edu

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