DEFINITION OF AN ACADEMIC INTERNSHIP
A Commonwealth College academic internship combines an on-site supervised work experience with a structured academic learning plan for which a student earns academic credit. The student’s substantive work and responsibilities within the work organization creates a professional experience that supports academic and career goals. The faculty internship instructor and work-site supervisor collaborate to promote the student’s critical thinking, observation and reflection that foster intellectual, personal and professional growth.
The work-site organization determines if monetary compensation is available for the internship. The length of the internship varies depending upon academic and work-site minimum requirements. Internships include a work and academic component, where academic work may include journal writing, related research, or special projects. An internship is a work-based learning experience in a for-profit or non-profit setting. Some academic programs require an internship, while others offer students the option of scheduling an elective internship.
An internship offers a student the opportunity to apply academic knowledge in world-of-work situations, to explore a career choice, and to begin to establish a network of professional contacts. The internship preparation course that is required by the major must be completed prior to registering for any internship credits. When pre-internship course is not required, students are encouraged to contact the Career Services office in the Student Success Center to develop resumes and cover letters and effectively prepare for the internship.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ACADEMIC INTERNSHIPS
Successful delivery of an academic internship occurs when an effective partnership is established among the key constituents: student, faculty internship instructor, work-site supervisor, and Career Services. The roles that each individual plays in the academic internship experience is as follows:
STUDENT:
- Register for the internship prep course during the semester preceding the planned registration for the academic internship in compliance with course prerequisites.
- With the assistance of the faculty internship instructor, the academic adviser, and the career counseling professional, investigate, identify and secure an internship experience that best meets educational and personal goals while adhering to Commonwealth College guidelines, major prerequisites, and program requirements.
- Determine learning opportunities and educational objectives available through the internship and formulate your action plan with the assistance of the faculty internship instructor.
- Obtain liability insurance if required.
- Adhere to professional and ethical standards as approved and required by the work-site and professional association.
FACULTY INTERNSHIP INSTRUCTOR:
- Ensure that there is sufficient academic activity to merit the awarding of credit
- Determine the appropriateness of a specific internship experience in the context of the student’s academic major and career goals.
- Give final approval for internship.
- Track student progress throughout the semester.
- Assist student in the identification of internship opportunities, although ultimate responsibility for locating a site resides with the individual student.
- Collaborate with career services coordinator to provide educational resources helpful to the student engaged in the internship experience.
- Schedule a personal or electronic contact with work-site supervisor to establish a working relationship that will benefit the student.
- Ensure that prerequisites are satisfied by the student prior to scheduling the internship course.
- Coordinate necessary paperwork throughout the internship period including preparation of learning agreements and completion of preliminary, mid-semester and final evaluations.
- Evaluate student performance, assign grade, and post it.
WORK-SITE SUPERVISOR/COMPANY OR AGENCY:
- Provide a professional environment conducive to student learning.
- Set goals for internship experience as supported by organizational leadership.
- Collaborate with faculty internship instructor to establish specific learning objectives; identify outcomes or expected products.
- Participate in the selection of student interns.
- Help student build professional work-site relationships.
- Supervise the student throughout the internship experience at the work-site.
- Offer an orientation program and supply necessary resources to support student success.
- Provide supervision, guidance, and feedback.
- Report immediately to the faculty internship instructor any student problem that develops.
- Work directly with the faculty internship instructor to evaluate the student performance, possibly three times: preliminarily during the first few weeks, at a mid-point in the internship experience, and at the end of the experience.
- Sign University Internship Affiliation Agreements as appropriate.
Career Services Coordinator:
- Assist student in the identification of internship opportunities, although ultimate responsibility for locating a site resides with the individual student.
- On a limited basis and at the invitation of the faculty internship instructor, serve as a guest speaker in class on topics related to the internship search process.
- Educate student on the internship search process including researching potential sites and developing cover letters, resumes and interview skills.
- Promote job and career information fairs to students.