Evaluation Criteria for Internships for Credit
The intent of the College of Business Internship Program is to have an in-house internship program which specifically targets business students college-wide and encourages experiential learning as a complimentary approach to their education. Preparing students to obtain good entry-level positions is the goal of the College of Business and it is obvious in today’s competitive job market that part of this preparation includes spending time learning within the structure of a real business prior to graduation. Our program focuses on increasing the quantity and quality of business internship opportunities that lead to permanent employment for College of Business students. In order to insure that the minimum standards are met to grant academic credit for an internship, the College of Business has established the following criteria for internships.
Breadth and Depth of the Experience
The internship needs to provide students with a broad overview of an industry and/or organization. In addition, students should be able to gain understanding of the career opportunities available to them after graduation. Students should also have the opportunity to participate in specific projects and activities at a professional level. Our request is that routine clerical work makes up no more than 20% of an intern’s daily tasks. Overall, the learning aspect of the internship should remain the principal focus of the experience.
Opportunity to Apply Principles Learned In and Out of the Classroom
An internship should provide students with hands-on experience and a good idea of what a professional position in the industry would be like. In most cases, students should be able to relate the internship experience to knowledge and skills that they have gained through college-level classroom instruction.
Opportunity to Observe Professionals in Action
It is important that student interns be able to observe professionals in their particular career field in order to gain an understanding of the type of work the occupation involves. When appropriate, we suggest employers encourage interns to participate in staff meetings, attend presentations, and sit in on meetings with clients. Additionally, interns should have the ability to speak and interact with professionals inside, as well as outside, of their own department to learn about different occupations and career paths.
Supervision and Processing Time
It is important that the intern’s supervisor provide adequate opportunities for students to ask questions and receive guidance on assigned projects. As feedback is a critical part of the learning process, there must be an on-site supervisor directly assigned to the intern who can provide guidance throughout the internship experience.
Plans for Evaluation and Feedback to the Student and the Institution
The Director of Internship Programs will provide the intern with an Internship Experience Form to be completed by the immediate supervisor. This form is used to evaluate the quality of the internship, as well as the student’s performance for grading purposes. It is vital that this form be returned to the Internship Director in a timely manner. We encourage the supervisor to review this evaluation with their intern prior to sending it to the Director. Ongoing informal feedback is encouraged as well. Providing an intern with feedback about his or her job performance and skill areas provides a great learning opportunity for the student.
Paid and Unpaid Internships
Academic credit is given to students whether they participate in a paid or unpaid internship. If you are able to provide payment to students, this may increase the number of applications you receive for the position, and it would certainly be an incentive for those students who have to maintain a part-time job throughout college to help cover expenses.
Safe Work Environment
The organization where the student is interning shall be responsible for providing the intern with a safe work environment. For safety reasons, interns are not allowed to work out of individual’s homes and door-to-door sales is specifically prohibited.
Non-Discrimination and Sexual Harassment
In an effort to provide students with a safe and comfortable internship experience, we require internship sites to uphold the Florida State University’s Sexual Harassment Policy:
Sexual harassment is a form of discrimination based on a person's gender. Sexual harassment is contrary to the University's values and moral standards, which recognize the dignity and worth of each person, as well as a violation of federal and state laws and University rules and policies. Sexual harassment cannot and will not be tolerated by the Florida State University, whether by faculty, students, or staff; or by others while on property owned by or under the control of the University.
Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature directed at an employee or student by another when:
- submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of employment, academic status, receipt of University services, participation in University activities and programs, or affects the measure of a student's academic performance; or,
- submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as the basis for a decision affecting employment, academic status, receipt of services, participation in University activities and programs, or the measure of a student's academic performance; or,
- such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with employment opportunities, work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or educational environment.
For further information please visit:
http://www.auditservices.fsu.edu/sh/policy.html#policy.
Lauren A. Dalton
Director of Internship Programs
The College of Business- Rovetta 327
Florida State University
ldalton@cob.fsu.edu
850-644-8495
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Location & Hours
(850) 644-8495