ACADEMIC INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

• Internships must be a minimum of 120 hours, typically 10-12 weeks in length and 10-12 hours a week during the fall and spring; and up to 40 hours per week during the summer. 

• Work schedules are agreed upon by the student and employer based on classroom commitments and employer’s needs. 

• Internships run concurrent with academic semesters: Fall (Sept.-Dec.) Spring (Jan./Feb-Apr.) Summer (May-Aug.).

• Internships are posted, resumes submitted and interviews conducted at least one semester prior to the actual semester the internship is scheduled to commence.

• Students earn 3 academic credits during the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters.

• Academic assignments given by the faculty supervisor to the student must be completed concurrently during the internship.

• The student is graded by the faculty supervisor on an A-F scale.

• If the internship occurs during the summer, the intern will pay the University for the 3 credits that will be earned.

RECRUITING INTERNS

As a sponsoring organization, you can offer substantive work experiences that supports students academic and career goals. If you do not yet have an established internship program or you would like to consider ways to improve your current one, contact Barbara Gregory to discuss your interest.

Complete an Internship Data Sheet.  The form includes, among other items, a profile of your company, the majors you are looking for, qualifications you seek, internship description, and the times of the year the internship is available.

Once submitted, your proposal will be forwarded to the appropriate Department Chairperson for review as a 3 credit elective course within a specific area of study.  He/She will approve, request additional information or deny as an elective course.  You will be contacted regarding the regarding the Chairperson’s decision.

If approved, your internship will be posted on the Bryant Career Connection, an electronic database accessible by all our students.  Interested students who meet your requirements will submit the requested materials to a designated person in your organization.  Resumes can be received immediately or bundled and sent on an established date for review as possible candidate(s).   You determine who to interview.  Once a student accepts an offer, he/she will provide you with a confirmation form, mid semester and final performance evaluations to be completed during the internship period. 

COMPENSATION

If your organization is able, we certainly encourage you to consider offering compensation. This may help you attract more quality candidates, as well as solidify time commitments from interns. Many students work their way through college and often give up a paying part-time position to take an internship, so receiving some form of remuneration is appreciated. If your organization is unable to offer a regular wage, consider helping the student with internship-related expenses such as parking fees, mileage, meals, etc.

Unpaid student employment will not violate the Fair Labor Standards Act if it is a training program which meets the following criteria:

1. The training should be similar to that given in a vocational setting
2. The experience is for the benefit of the student
3. Students do not displace regular employees
4. The site sponsor provides the training and receives no immediate advantage from the activities of students
5. Students are not necessarily entitled to a job at the conclusion of the training period

Many employers are uncertain about internship wages, which vary based on the industry and the skill level required for the position.  Contact Barbara Gregory for current wage information.

SUPERVISION

We expect you to provide a career-related work experience that will be of sufficient challenge to college-level students. In addition to providing work that contributes to your organization's mission, we also hope you actively support the student's learning endeavor. Someone who is interested in the development of student interns and has appropriate credentials to should be assigned to supervise the student. That person should:

• Provide a clear job/project description for the work experience
• Orient the student to the organization, its "culture" and their work assignment(s)
• Assist the student in developing/achieving personal learning objectives
• Be willing to host an on-site visit or speak to a faculty supervisor sometime during the work term
• Offer feedback to the student on a regular basis
• Complete formal written evaluations at the mid-point and conclusion of the work experience and submit to Bryant University.