The employer has the opportunity to hire the student for a specific project or assignment. This provides the employer with talented college students who can learn quickly and complete the project without the employer incurring the obligation for long term labor costs. By observing the student intern on the job, the employer may decide to offer employment to the student after graduation. In an internship, the student and the employer have a solid basis for making this decision, resulting in proven performance and reduced personnel turnover. To participate, the Ohio State Intern- ship Program requires students to have at least a 2.5 grade point average and have completed their first year of college, or 45 credit hours.
Employers determine selection criteria, interview candidates and extend offers directly to students.
If the employer wishes employment to coincide with the academic calendar, recruiting should begin one to two months earlier. The longer the lead time, the more likely the employer will find a student with the desired qualifications. The Career Services Office will make every effort to assist employers constrained by shorter time frames. Employers will determine schedules based on the company needs and the student's availability. Most assignments are between 10 to 20 hours per week.