A common question asked by employers developing internship programs is how are interns and internships defined? Internships are largely defined as unpaid positions by the U.S. Department of Labor. The criteria for identifying an unpaid intern in the workplace includes:

• The work is an integral part of the student's course of study.
• The student will receive credit for the work, or the work is required for graduation.
• The student must prepare a report of his/her experiences and submit it to a school supervisor.
• The employer has received a letter or some other form of written documentation from the school, stating that it sponsors or approves of the internship and that the internship is educationally relevant.
• Learning objectives are clearly identified.
• The student does not perform work that other employees perform.
• The student is in a shadowing/learning model.
• The employer provides for the opportunity for the student to learn a skill, process or other business function or to learn how to operate equipment.
• There is educational value to the work performed; i.e., it is related to the courses the student is taking in school.
• The student is supervised by a staff member.
• The student does not provide benefit to the employer over 50% of the time.
• The employer did not guarantee a job to the student upon completion of the training or completion of schooling.

Internship Guidelines

New College expects internship providers to provide career-related work experiences that are of sufficient challenge. It is important to recognize that interns have different work objectives than regular employees, possibly requiring innovative approaches to supervision. Support the students’ unique learning endeavors by providing:

• A clear job description for the internship.
• An orientation for the student to the organization, staff and desired work assignments.
• Appropriate personal supervision and training which gives the student the necessary support to carry out assigned activities safely and adequately.
• Meaningful work assignments and activities with opportunities to learn by participation and observation. Clerical and busy work should be kept to a minimum.
• Opportunities to participate in staff meetings and in-service training if and when appropriate.
• Opportunities for client contact if and when appropriate.
• Feedback to the student on a regular basis, culminating in a formal written evaluation at the conclusion of the work assignment.

Internship Provider Responsibilities

An internship provider has several responsibilities:

• The provider agrees to contact the Career Services staff if any questions or problems arise with the students or off-campus program itself.
• Advise the student of any risks associated with the off-campus experience and not put the student in a life-threatening situation, to the best of their ability.
• The provider agrees not to use the student in an undercover or illegal capacity.
• The provider agrees to complete New College’s Student Evaluation Form and submit it to the Office of Career Services & Off-Campus Studies at the end of the experience.
• The provider agrees that a Career Services representative may visit during the semester to meet with the site supervisor and the student.

Student availability

Student availability during fall and spring semesters is typically 5-15 hours weekly. During summers, when no classes are in session, they may be available full-time.
 
The student, off-campus provider and faculty sponsor will collaboratively determine specific schedules. Very little paperwork is involved--at the beginning of the off-campus experience, the student's faculty sponsor meets with the student to review goals, objectives, desired tasks and responsibilities. Students contact providers directly, in most cases after having their curriculum vitas and background reviewed by Career Services. The internship provider decides whom to interview and accept. At the end of the off-campus experience, providers should complete a student evaluation.

Posting an Internship

To post an internship opportunity for New College students, please provide a written description of the position and include each item bulleted below. The description should be written in this format:

Food Bank seeks Intern to work 8 hours per week for three months, stocking, greeting clients and assisting with clerical work. Flexible schedule. Located approximately 6 miles from New College. Must be courteous, efficient, and skilled in Microsoft programs. Contact John Brown, Executive Director, phone & email, name of organization, website.

Send descriptions to CSOCS@ncf.edu

Components that must be included in Volunteer/Internship/Job posting descriptions. 

• Organization's name, address, phone, fax, email and web address
• Contact person's name and title 
• Brief description of organization
• Internship position title
• Intern's job description, duties and responsibilities
• Special skills/background desired or required
• Training planned for intern
• Dates of internship duration, days of the week and hours desired
• Salary per hour, if any
• Deadline for internship application, if any