MODULE 1: Definition of an Internship
A. Ideal Internships
A method for accomplishing meaningful work
An effective means of identifying, assessing, and developing future career professionals
A strategy for developing the managerial skills of the employees who work directly with interns
A structured work experience with a business or specific industry
Provide defined learning objectives and hands-on experience
Allow students to develop skills that are academic or career-related
Allow students to develop identifiable knowledge, skills and personal qualities, i.e., reliability and initiative
Consist primarily of non-repetitive meaningful activities or assignments. For example, no more than 20% of an internship should be taken up with repetitive tasks, such as filing and photocopying.
Are supervised by staff members who have expertise in the area of the internship, and who make sure that opportunities exist for the intern’s learning goals to be met.
B. Types of Internships:
Paid, Non-paid or Stipend
Part-time or Full-time
College Credit – Work Experience Course – Check with school for enrollment and credit info. (See below)
Interns participate in the fall, spring and/or summer sessions, depending on the internship availability.
C. College Credit: Cooperative Work Experience Education
Internships and Cooperative Education are experience-based learning at its best.
This powerful form of student-focused learning is a partnership between the employer, the community college and the student seeking experience related to their occupational studies and professional goals.
The Cooperative Education Office is the administrative hub for the community college campus' internship program, promoting and facilitating experiential learning for many students.
The office will work closely with your company/organization to help you create a "win-win" internship program.
While working and learning at an internship site, students are encouraged to enroll in internship courses. This enables the faculty to supervise the students' activities while they work with you.
For community college students, the most popular type of internship is "part-time," i.e., 10 to 20 hours per week during the academic term.
This schedule allows a student to continue with coursework during the internship.
A minimum of 75 hours paid work (60 hours unpaid) is required for students to earn one unit of academic credit.
Students may earn up to four units per semester.