Undergraduate & Graduate Student For-Credit Internship Guide. College of Business Edition

Transcription

1 Undergraduate & Graduate Student For-Credit Internship Guide College of Business 2015 Edition

2 Table of Contents Page Introduction... 2 Internship Program Philosophy... 3 Internship Checklist... 4 Internship Policies... 5 Internship Process... 7 Internship Site... 7 Interview... 7 Internship Contract... 7 Final Student Questions... 8 Student Summary Report... 9 Grading

3 Introduction Experiential education experiences may include internships, practicums, and industry-specific independent studies. A student can obtain a wealth of knowledge from textbooks, lectures, and guest speakers. However, a more comprehensive knowledge can only be acquired from having that student enter/engage the workforce or a given industry segment and assume responsibilities that will hopefully develop their business skills and acumen. Internships are a critical component of the educational process at the University of New Haven. For those who might not qualify or want an internship, UNH offers other experiential education opportunities such as practicums and industry-specific independent studies. All three parties in the experiential education relationship (UNH, the student, and the host site) need to devote significant time to the process to make it work. Experiential education (EE) does not entail just letting a student go unsupervised hoping they will perform the assigned work. A student sometimes can perform tasks without guidance. However, more often than not, a student will require guidance, which may entail a significant time commitment from the host site. Also, a student should not be given only mindless labor or grunt work as such activities will not provide a true business learning experience and may lead to potential tax/legal concerns. Thus, a successful experiential learning experience requires both time and energy to provide a student with enough practical work to make the internship beneficial for all parties. This balancing act can be difficult, but when it is achieved the resulting experience will produce a great learning opportunity and the ability to develop future industry leaders. This document is designed to guide students through the internship process. While most issues are covered by this guide, the entire process is governed by rules and regulations set forth by the College of Business (COB) and the University of New Haven, including the UNH Code of Conduct. 2

4 Internship Program Philosophy COB experiential education opportunities are structured around the concept of experiential educational value as opposed to simply functioning as vehicles for career exposure and growth. The educational value of our experiential education is demonstrated through a required research component, student learning objectives, and faculty advisor and host site supervisor mentorship. Although the primary goal of our program is to enhance academic learning, our experiential education opportunities also provide opportunities for personal and professional growth which are an important aspect of our mission. Internship Goals for Students: Improving skills in research, communication, observation, and problem-solving Providing networking and mentoring opportunities Developing sound decision making within an ethical and legal framework Developing a practical/applied knowledge of how to market sport and run events Developing ability to analyze and make relevant financial decisions based on appropriate data Internship Benefits: Engaging the intern in the discipline or major Providing interaction with a variety of individuals, systems, and organizations Improving self confidence Putting learning into context to improve understanding and retention of concepts Using a variety of learning styles and frequently challenging participants to use new ways of learning and thinking Helping a participant grow emotionally and learn from both failure and success, as well as appreciating change and how change can impact them Enhance professionalism and development of soft skills such as the ability to interact on a professional level in formal and informal business settings Provide students the opportunity to test their interest in a particular career before permanent commitments are made Aid students in adjusting to full-time employment and help create employment records, references, and an understanding of how organizations operate Increase student sense of responsibility and help them develop good work habits Increase student earning potential upon graduation Motivate students to continue their education 3

5 Internship Checklist Meet with appropriate UNH Advisor Identify internship opportunity Submit application materials as required by potential host site Schedule interview Prepare for the interview Attend interview Formulate internship tasks and goals Complete internship contract and submit to Advisor Confirm registration for internship course with Advisor Begin internship Complete and submit weekly reports and on a weekly basis Do one oral presentation and write one executive memo during the internship If permissible, compile examples of work completed Help coordinate site inspection by department coordinator (if applicable) Complete required internship hours Complete final internship paperwork including responses to questions and summary report Have site supervisor complete Evaluation Form and submit to Advisor Advisor completes Grading Matrix and assigns final grade Detailed information regarding each item can be found in the following pages. All necessary forms can be found on the department s website. 4

6 Internship Policies General: 1. Experiential learning opportunities connect the classroom to the professional world. Internships are new learning opportunities that provide new skills, experiences, and opportunities to the intern. 2. Past work experience is not eligible to receive academic credit. 3. Current work experiences are not eligible to receive academic credit. Exception: if an intern takes on added or new responsibilities in their current position that meet the requirement of a new learning experience. 4. Credit for an internship will not be given retroactively. No exceptions. 5. Internships or other forms of experiential education require approval from the student s advisor or academic major department coordinator before starting an internship or EE activity - no exceptions. 6. To count as an internship in the College of Business, the student must be engaged in business-related activities. 7. A completed and signed internship contract is required for all internships and must be submitted to the advisor prior to registration. 8. Students are not guaranteed internship placement interns must meet the qualifications set forth by the academic department and the host organization and then apply and interview for the internship. If a student is not eligible for an internship, faculty may assist students in identifying a different experiential education opportunity, which may include a practicum and/or industry-specific independent studies. 9. Students are responsible for securing their own internship. Advisors and the Career Development Center maintain contacts and internship postings, but the student is accountable for contacting employers, submitting a resume and cover letter, interviewing, and making all final arrangements. 10. Pay is determined by the host organization. Internships (both paid and unpaid) are covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act. 5

7 Academic Credit: 1. All internships for academic credit must meet departmental approval. 2. Internship credit is earned on a 66.6:1 ratio each 66.6 onsite work hours equal 1 academic credit. Thus, 200 hours need to be worked to earn three credits and 400 hours need to be worked to earn six credits. 3. Students must register for the internship during a semester in which hours are worked and based on advisor approval. 4. Once the completed internship contract has been submitted to the advisor, the advisor or department coordinator will either register the student for the internship or submit an override to enable the student to register on their own. 5. The student will submit weekly reports, work hours logs, and final paperwork to their advisor. 6. Internships will be graded according to set faculty department policy. It is an intern s responsibility to submit academic requirements in a timely manner. 7. All final grading and awarding of credit is to be handled by the supervising faculty member. 8. Undergraduate students must be in their junior year to apply for a credit-based internship. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the advisor or department coordinator. 9. A student must have a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 to apply for an internship. Students with a lower GPA will need advisor approval to undertake an internship, but may be required to take a practicum or independent study instead. 10. Traditional internships are for three (3) or six (6) semester hours in the semester in which the internship is undertaken. In rare circumstances additional semester hours can be earned, but such opportunities are traditionally limited to individuals working at an out of state/country internship where the student would not be able to attend any classes that semester at UNH. 11. An internship is a course and it is a student s responsibility to attend (whether live or via alternative means) all pre-internship, mid-internship, and post-internship meetings, if applicable. 12. EE opportunities other than internships can be coordinated at anytime with a faculty member willing to sponsor such an activity. All such EE opportunities are for three credits and the projects, assignments, and grading are assigned by the faculty member. 6

8 Internship Process A student should be at least in their junior year to register for an internship. The registration process must be completed a minimum of two weeks before the internship begins. The first part of the application process entails meeting with the student s advisor to determine the best potential fit for the student and to critically analyze the student s career objectives. Internship Site Once a clear direction is identified, there are two options for securing an internship site. A student can find their own internship site or the advisor can help identify an internship site. If the student finds their own internship site the advisor may contact the site for additional information or to ensure the internship will be appropriate. While students may want to fulfill their internship with a current employer, such internships are not permitted as they limit the student s opportunity to be exposed to different environments and career options. However, if a student wishes to work for their current site/employer, they may be permitted as long as their internship entails work above and beyond their current responsibilities. For example, if a student works in the sports information department of a college, they could do their internship with facilities or sports marketing as such activities are not part of the SID office. If the student does not have an internship site, the advisor will make every effort to assist. Once a potential site has been identified and the student is interested in the site, they will then need to follow application procedures as outlined by the site. The student is then responsible for following up with the internship site to confirm receipt of their application and coordinate an interview if possible. If the Advisor identifies the internship site or approves the student s choice the student can move to the interview step. Resumes are a critical part of the application process and those with mistakes and inaccuracies reflect poorly on the applicant. Students are strongly encouraged to utilize the UNH Career Development Center for assistance with their resume and cover letter. Students may also submit a copy of their resume to the Advisor or department coordinator for review and suggestions, if necessary. Interview Students are required to have at least one face-to-face interview with the internship site supervisor. This interview should be a comprehensive interview which clearly outlines responsibilities and expectations. If the site supervisor offers the internship to the student then the Internship Contract can be completed. However, if the student is unsuccessful in securing the position a different internship opportunity will need to be secured. There is no guarantee that an internship will be found for any given student. A student who is unwilling to cooperate in the placement process will have significant difficulty obtaining an internship. Internship Contract When an internship site has been finalized, a contract must be completed. The contract specifies the intern s responsibilities, the internship goals, and the site supervisor s role. The site supervisor also agrees to provide assistance for the student in their efforts to meet expectations and achieve those goals. The contract is signed by the student, site supervisor and advisor and serves as the basis for all issues with the internship. For example, if the contract requires the student to work 20 hours a week and the student only works 10 hours per week, then the student is technically violating the internship contract. Similarly if the internship site is required to help train the intern in marketing and the intern is only given photocopying work, then the internship contract would allow the student to leave the internship site based on the site s breach of the contract. It should be specifically stated that the contract 7

9 provides no other remedy whether legal or non-legal other than allowing a student, university, or internship site the right to terminate the internship experience if something goes wrong. Specific starting and ending dates need to be established and added to the contract. Once the internship begins, interns are required to behave in a manner that reflects the utmost professionalism and follows the charge given them by their supervisor(s). While an intern is expected to perform a variety of functions, they are not charged with performing any illegal acts, nor is their conduct controlled in any respect by the University of New Haven. The intern is an independent individual and not an employee of UNH. Thus, the University of New Haven does not guarantee the conduct or actions of an intern, even if such conduct results in personal or financial injury. It is incumbent on the intern, and to a lesser extent the internship site, to maintain regular contact with the advisor and report on a regular basis. The intern will submit weekly reports to their advisor to confirm progress. The advisor or department coordinator may also visit the internship site or meet with the intern and host in another specified location or manner to determine progress. At the end of the internship the student is required to write a summary paper to be submitted to both the internship site and department coordinator summarizing what the student learned and including examples of the student s work products (memos, flyers, marketing letters, promotional pieces and other items which can be publicly disclosed and highlight intern accomplishments). The internship site will submit a grade and formally evaluate the student and their internship using the Final Internship Site Supervisor s Report. Final Student Questions Answer the following questions and then submit the answers to your site supervisor as well as attach answers to your student report. 1. What impact did the experience have on your personal growth? 2. What do you think was your greatest accomplishment during the internship? 3. What skills did you learn? 4. What did you discover about yourself during the internship? 5. What were you able to learn about office politics, ethics, and resolving any workplace issues? 6. Were you able to apply what you learned from your marketing and sport marketing class in your internship and how? 7. Were you able to apply what you learned from your finance and/or sport finance class in your internship and how? 8. Were you able to apply what you learned from your business law and sport law class in your internship and how? 9. Were you able to apply what you learned from your international sport management class in your internship and how? 10. Were you able to apply what you learned from your facility and/or event management class in your internship and how? These questions are designed to highlight: self-discovery & personal growth, skills development, awareness of the behavior required in a professional environment, application of principles learned in courses during the program, and help access the value of the internship site / experience. The content of the responses are not graded, but students are required to submit them. 8

10 Student Summary Report After answering these questions you are required to write a paper (at least five pages long and utilizing five references) about the internship. The paper should focus on your growth through the internship process. What did you know about the industry before starting the internship and what have you learned since undertaking the internship? Would you be interested in working in this industry segment upon graduation? What additional skills do you think you would need to effectively work in this industry segment? These are just some of the questions you should answer and critically analyze why or why you would not want to work in the industry segment? Please attach samples of your work product to this report (over and beyond the five page paper) to help highlight what you have learned/experienced. Grading The final grade will be determined by the advisor based on a number of factors as outlined below. Max. Possible Points Secure Internship extra points if student secures internship on their own Submit Completed Internship Contract 10 Submit Weekly Reports 30 Submit Supervisor Final Report 150 (based on a percentage of grade given by internship site) Responses to Internship Questions 30 Summary Paper 60 TOTAL POINTS 300 A B C D F points points points points Anything less than 170 points 9