Evaluating the Internship. General Information Internships are designed by an employer to meet its own organizational needs while at the same time providing for the needs of the intern. Depending on the situation, internships may be highly structured or, alternatively, they may be quite flexible. Some internships last only one quarter, some are as long as a year. Academic credit may or may not be available, depending on a student's major.
Internships cost little or nothing compared to regular full-time employees.
Some interns work without pay and those that are compensated are paid modest wages, a monthly stipend, or whatever an organization can afford and feels is equitable. Generally, interns do not receive employee health or retirement benefits. For example, interns can be assigned to organize research projects, plan special events, develop special promotional campaigns, or design web pages. When developing an internship involving special projects, you should identify goals, timelines, and outcomes so that everyone understands the purpose and expectations involved. On-Going Operations Certain businesses and organizations routinely experience peak periods where additional staff is needed.