INTERNSHIP GUIDELINES
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR AN INTERNSHIP?
Minimum criteria: An intern must be in good
academic standing and have completed at least one semester as a certified Business
major. Please note that individual
Business faculty may have additional criteria to secure their internship
supervision.
WHAT IS AN INTERNSHIP?
Internship: Any carefully monitored
work or service experience in which an individual has intentional learning
goals and reflects actively on what she or he is learning throughout the
experience.
These
learning goals may include:
·
Academic learning - the individual can apply knowledge learned in the
classroom to the workplace;
·
Career development - the individual gains a knowledge of the
qualifications and duties of a position and can explore their interest in a
field;
·
Skill development - the individual gains an understanding of the skills
and knowledge required in the workplace;
·
Personal development - the individual gains decision making skills,
critical thinking skills, increased confidence and self-esteem.
The
important element that distinguishes an Internship from a short-term job or
community service is the intentional "learning agenda" that the
intern brings to the experience. (From the National Society for Experiential
Education)
The
WSU Vancouver Business Programs fully supports academic credit for your Internship
experience. If you wish to receive
academic credit for your Internship, you need to check with your faculty
advisor about this option before beginning work. You will also need to complete all
appropriate paperwork as required by the University for enrollment.
Only full-time tenure track Business faculty can supervise a Business Internship
and they do so at their discretion.
Students
can earn one semester credit for each 50 hours of work related to the Internship
academic learning objectives of the student.
Credit is not given for just work experience. Students can earn no less than 2 credits and
cumulatively no more than 15 total Internship credits over five semesters.
All
Internship credits are awarded pass/fail.
Internship
credits are earned under Acctg 498, Fin 498, Mgt 498,
Mktg 498, or MIS 498.
You can use one 3-credit 498 Internship to fulfill a major elective
requirement in a Finance, Business Administration, Management & Operations,
or Marketing major upon approval by the Program Director of your Internship
Learning Agreement.
Students
must register for their Internship by the 10th day of class.
No late registrations willbe
allowed. Students must also register for
Internship credits with a supplemental registration form. Students can not register for Internship
credits online through METRO.
You have to choose a full-time faculty member to ‘sponsor’ your Internship and schedule a meeting with that person. Themore information you are able to present in this meeting, the better (i.e., name of Internship supervisor, location, schedule, time-frame, job description, etc.). Once a Learning Agreement has been made between you and the faculty sponsor (signatures obtained), the Participation Agreement signed by all parties, and you have signed the Release of Liability form, you may register for academic credit (be sure to obtain the proper signatures on the Supplemental Registration form). Here are some things to consider before registering for Internship credits:
§
How will the Internship fit into your program requirements?
§
Do you have general electives or a major elective where you can apply
the Internship credit?
§
Do you want the Internship to appear on your transcript?
§ Will the Internship provide you with career-related experience and assist you in building important skills?
§ Do you have time to do the extra assignments required to gain academic credit?
Please
note that if a student works in an Internship setting without enrolling for
credit, they are part-time workers or volunteers. As part-time workers or volunteers, they are
considered employees of the Company and are not representing the university in any official capacity.
If a student is performing services for a business or organization
(regardless of academic credit), then the student should be paid for their
work. Any time that an employer derives immediate
benefit from the activities of the student, then the student should be
paid. Students are not paid if the Internship
involves training similar to a vocational school or if the student is job
shadowing. Paid employees (including
student interns) are protected by the EEO/Affirmative Action laws, as well as
most overtime and minimum wage laws.
Schools
(as employment recruiters) can be held liable for violations of such laws by
the employer. Schools are not to
disclose individual student disabilities to potential employers or for that
matter any student information. States
generally prohibit state agencies from entering into Hold Harm/Indemnification
agreements with employers. Students can
not sign away their personal rights to sue for unforeseen harm or
discrimination. It is also not
appropriate for students to sign non-compete agreements with employers.
Professional Responsibilities of the Student
Employer's Responsibilities
Six Stages of Intern Development and Advising Strategies for the Faculty Sponsor
Business Programs Internship Forms