An internship provides an opportunity for college students to obtain hands-on work experience in a professional business environment. Students learn more about a particular field and increase their understanding of the business they are working in. Hiring an intern provides the employer with an opportunity to make an impact in their community. Not only will the employer assist a college student in expanding their work experiences, but also the college student will assist the employer in completing essential tasks. Internships can be paid or non-paid positions.
Most students receive college credit for an internship.
An intern's responsibilities vary based on the needs of the employer. For example, a student interning in a law firm may not be completing legal research or litigation, however her experiences in assisting members of the firm with projects, attending court sessions, and providing administrative assistance will increase her understanding of the operation of a law firm. As an on-site internship supervisor, you are responsible for meeting with the intern prior to the start of the assignment to discuss her tasks. The student and a faculty advisor will have met to discuss the learning objectives of the assignment. These will be outlined on an Internship Agreement.