Small Employers Guide to Internships

This template is designed to help small employers "walk through" the process of setting up an internship.

Step 1: Identify a project

Do you have a project that has been put off because no one in your organization has the time to commit to its completion? Many small employers find that hiring interns is the perfect solution. Example: A communications or marketing student could work on a promotional campaign for a new product.

Step 2: Define the "deliverables" for this project.

Note that each of these is specific and measurable. Using the above example, "deliverables" might include:

a. Develop a customer database for mailings and e-mail distributions.
b. Create a brochure and other promotional items for the new product.
c. Attend a trade show to present the new product.

Step 3: Identify the skills required to complete this project successfully.

Using the above example:

a. Word processing
b. Database management
c. Desktop publishing
d. Oral and written communication skills
e. Other

Step 4: Identify a supervisor

Interns can be extremely productive when they understand what is expected of them and receive the guidance required to perform their assigned tasks. A supervisor should have excellent communication skills, the ability to offer constructive feedback and be available to the intern when guidance is needed. Review the deliverables, scope and limitations of the internship with the supervisor.

Step 5: Create a job description for the intern (this will also serve as the online listing).

A guide for writing quality job descriptions is provided in the link below:

Writing Job Descriptions

Effective sample internship postings are also available to view.

This should include:
a. Description of the company/organization.
b. Description of the position including deliverables, qualifications, specific fields of knowledge, accreditations and skills required.
c. Salary and benefits information.
d. Contact information including name of contact person, mailing address for resumes, fax number, email address and phone number (you can specify which fields to show to students by checking appropriate boxes in the online form).
e. Your website URL if available.

Step 6: Develop a Learning Objectives Agreement that includes specific objectives for each deliverable.

A sample learning objectives form is provided for your use.
Sample Learning Objectives Contract.

These learning objectives should be communicated clearly to the student. They are the basis upon which the student will be evaluated. A typical learning objective is concrete and measurable.

Step 7: Fill out any paperwork /contracts required by the university.

You can learn more about specific university requirements through our:
Links to Career Services Offices.

Many universities require internship contracts. To learn the specific requirements for a particular university or college, contact that university specifically. Contracts serve to protect the employer and students. They allow a university representative to assist you through the process and negotiate a resolution to problems that might arise between the employer and the intern.

Step 8: Orient your intern to your organization and the job.

Include:

a. Daily operations: Opening the office, where coffee is located, phone usage, computer assignments, lunch practices, staff introduction, etc.
b. A meeting with the supervisor to discuss the job and expectations.
c. The length of the internship, salary and benefits, vacation policies, attendance and punctuality standards.

Step 9: Evaluate your intern at midyear and end of term. Click the links below to view Sample Evaluations.

Sample midterm evaluation
Sample end of term (final) evaluation
Sample student evaluation of employer

It is important to share your evaluation with your intern. This allows him/her to allow for adjustments in behaviors, work styles, etc. to facilitate satisfactory completion of all current and future assigned tasks and projects. Allowing an intern to provide you with feedback on the experience provides you with vital information that can help you evaluate and make any necessary adjustments for future internship assignments.