"An academic internship is a form of experiential education that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skill development in a professional setting. Students earn academic credit, or there is some other connection to a degree‐granting, educational institution. This work/learning arrangement is overseen by a faculty or staff member of an educational institution and by a designated employee of an organization. The internship is usually the length or equivalent of an academic term, may be part‐time or full‐time, paid or unpaid. An integral component of the experience that distinguishes it from other types of work is one or more forms of structured and deliberate reflection contained within learning agendas or objectives." (formulated by subscribers to the Internship‐Net Listserv – May 2010)

Sponsoring an intern can be a positive experience for your organization. Some of the benefits an employer may receive from participating in the internship program include:

• The services of mature, academically qualified students who approach projects with fresh insight and a high level of enthusiasm and motivation
• An opportunity to observe potential employees
• The perspective of current academic knowledge in specialized fields
• The opportunity to undertake special projects or short-term assignments
• An opportunity for future managers to practice their supervisory skills
• The opportunity to share in the preparation of future members of a profession

There are several avenues you can pursue to hire the right intern candidate for your organization:

• Post your position on our job and internship board, Handshake. You must do this to be compliant with Dept. of Labor laws. 
• Use the 'Search Students' tab in Handshake to search student profiles and view resumes.
• Email your Viterbo faculty, department chair, or Dean contacts and ask them to promote to their students. 
• Contact Viterbo student organization advisors or presidents and ask them to promote the position.
• Come to campus and recruit via our recruiting on campus options
• General information about creating a quality internship program
• Employer Internship Handbook.docx_.pdf706.59 KB

1. After developing a position description, use the recommended guidelines to determine when you want to post the position based on when you want the intern to start working*. You may post positions after this date, but posting earlier helps ensure you get the best applicants:  
   1. Fall semester start (end of August) - post by April
   2. Spring semester start (mid-January) - post by September
   3. Summer semester start (mid-May) - post by January
      * Interns may be available to start mid-semester, but that is on a case-by-case basis determined by student need/availability
2. Submit your position description to Handshake, our online job bank system. You decide how students should apply and whom you wish to interview.
3. Conduct interviews and site tours (if applicable). Once your selection process is complete, and if the student is taking the internship for credit, both you and the student intern will fill out and sign a Student Learning Contract where expectations regarding hours, duties, and other details are clearly stated and agreed upon. A list of the hour-to-credit ratio is available here: internship_hour_requirements.docx 
4. The student begins work and the site supervisor begins their supervisory role. See expectations for both below.  
5. The Intern and Employer Relations Coordinator will be available to assist you with any questions you might have during the course of the internship.

To ensure that an experience is educational, and thus eligible to be considered a legitimate internship by the NACE definition, all the following criteria must be met: 

1. The experience must be an extension of the classroom: a learning experience that provides for applying the knowledge gained in the classroom. It must not be simply to advance the operations of the employer or be the work that a regular employee would routinely perform.
2. The skills or knowledge learned must be transferable to other employment settings.
3. The experience has a defined beginning and end, and a job description with desired qualifications.
4. There are clearly defined learning objectives/goals related to the professional goals of the student’s academic coursework. 
5. There is supervision by a professional with expertise and educational and/or professional background in the field of the experience.
6. There is routine feedback by the experienced supervisor.  
7. There are resources, equipment, and facilities provided by the host employer that support learning objectives/goals. 

*If these criteria are followed, it is the opinion of NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers) that the experience can be considered a legitimate internship. The January 2018 Fair Labor Standards Act (see FLSA Fact Sheet #71) also questions that among other things: The extent to which the [unpaid] intern's work complements, rather than displaces, the work of paid employees while providing significant educations benefits to the [unpaid] intern.  

• Orient the student to the placement site, structure, mission, etc.
• Provide the student with meaningful projects/assignments that would enhance their development and knowledge in connection with their academic interests and career goals.
• Counsel the student in reflecting on their experience in terms of their personal and professional development.
• Meet with the student on a regular basis for the purpose of discussing internship content and intern performance.
• Expose the students to the behind the scenes work and management of the projects.
• Invite the student to attend meetings, when appropriate, with leaders in the organization and community.
• Establish guidelines for the evaluation of the student’s learning experience and overall progress.
• Complete program evaluations required by the program.

Review our Employer Internship Handbook and contact Alyssa Gostonczik at  608-796-3829 or argostonczik@viterbo.edu to get started! 

• La Crosse Tribune article http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/viterbo-receives-three-year-grant-to-support-paid-internships/article_832dc68f-be54-57f6-87fe-2cd3a17cc530.html
• WKBT news story http://www.news8000.com/news/Viterbo-receives-internship-grant/35870994