If you are considering sponsoring an internship, it is helpful for you to first ask yourself a series of questions.
Can I provide a meaningful experience that helps students explore career choices?
Of course, routine work is part of everyone's job, and internships are no exception
to this rule. Ask yourself whether you have the distinct goals, objectives
or projects for an intern. Will they be part of a team that is developing
a new marketing campaign? will they be conducting research on a product to
determine quality control? Will they be allowed to participate in staff meetings?
How will the intern be compensated?
Compensation comes in many forms. In some cases, interns are paid at or new
the prevailing wage for an entry-level professional. Compensation at this rate
helps attract students and ensures that the internship site can pick the "cream
of the crop." It also helps students to focus on the internship because they
do not have to work a second job and possible attend school at the same time.
IN other cases, interns are paid a "training wage" that is at or above minimum
wage. Some employees offer a stipend, a set among of money that is awarded
without regard to the number of hours completed in an internship. Before offering
a stipend, however, employers should check with state regulations concerning
stipends to ensure that all appropriate regulations are being followed.
Who will supervise the intern?
An intern must have a designated site supervisor who is responsible for providing
orientation, supervision, and opportunities for reflection for the student.
This should be someone who will be available to the student on a regular basis
and possesses expertise in the area in which the intern will work. Even if
the intern will rotate through various departments in order to gain broad-based
experience, there still should be a single overall supervisor who oversees
the internship as a whole.
