Table of Contents
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INTRODUCTION
What is an Internship?STUDENT INFORMATION
Steps to Obtaining an Internship
Academic Policies/Eligibility
Academic Credit
Receiving/Accepting an Internship Offer
Registration
Steps to Completion of an Internship
Measurable Learning Objectives
Final Reflection Paper Suggestions
Fees
Professional Liability Insurance for Student Interns
Prohibited Internship Agreements
APPENDIX
INTRODUCTION
WHAT IS AN INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE?
Definition:
"Any carefully monitored work or service experience in which an individual has intentional learning goals and reflects actively on what he or she is learning throughout the experience."
Defined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers
STEPS TO OBTAINING AN INTERNSHIP
STEP 1: Meet with Counselor or Faculty Internship Supervisor
If you are interested in earning academic credit for an internship experience, meet with a Career Counselor, or the Faculty Internship Supervisor within your academic major prior to pursuing an opportunity to determine if you meet the academic requirements for an internship.
STEP 2: Research opportunities
Identify a potential internship opportunity via:
Career Services Web Listings WWW.UNCW.EDU/STUAFF/CAREER
(click to "Internship Resources & Listings)
Internship Books
Personal search
Faculty referral and listings
STEP 3: Complete the Intern Request Form
Once you have identified a potential internship, obtain a Request For Intern form from the Career Services office located in the University Union 104/106. The Employer will complete this form listing the duties and parameters of the internship.
STEP 4: Return request form
You or the employer will forward the completed Request For Intern form to Career Services and a copy to the faculty member who has agreed to serve as your faculty internship supervisor. The Faculty Internship Supervisor will confer with the departmental chairperson to assess whether the position meets departmental requirements for academic credit.
STEP 5: Registration
If the opportunity is determined to be worthy of academic credit, you must register for the course by working with the Faculty Internship Supervisor. Your GPA will be verified on the Course Registration form for faculty reference. This form is to be completed with your Faculty Internship Supervisor and must include all necessary signatures.
STEP 6: Complete Registration Form
Course Registration forms will be signed by the appropriate faculty and administration and forwarded to the registrar's office for processing.
Focus your effort on finding the right experience for you. In today's competitive career environment, it is important to build a credential that includes solid work experiences. If necessary, be prepared to work without pay. Most Internship employers require you to submit a resume. Some also will require an academic transcript and/or their application. In a few instances, you may be asked to submit writing samples or a portfolio of work. While we can't guarantee you an internship, Career Services will do everything that we can to make you aware of the many opportunities.
When you apply for an Internship experience, BE AWARE OF THE APPLICATION DEADLINE. Deadlines usually are dates by which the employer must receive application materials or the university requires registration. Familiarize yourself with drop/add dates. You must allow time for copies to be made, and the US Mail to deliver. For tight deadlines you might consider Express Mail or other delivery services. You also might FAX your application and follow it with a mailed copy.
ACADEMIC POLICIES / ELIGIBILITY
Several departments in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Cameron School of Business offer students the opportunity to earn academic credit within a work environment. The purpose of the internship experience is to enhance, supplement, and integrate the learning that occurs in formal classroom settings. Permission is needed from the dean and department on the number of credit hours earned in this manner, which may be applied toward graduation. Please also refer to the courses numbered 498 in the course listings and then contact the departments offering them.
Arts and Sciences
Student must:
§ have a 2.0 GPA to apply unless specified differently by the department
§ be approved by a department and supervised by a faculty supervisor or designee
§ be at least junior status when the work term begins
§ register for the appropriate course number (typically listed as 498)
Cameron School of Business
Student must:
§ have been formally accepted into the Cameron School of Business
§ meet departmental requirements (see below)
§ be of Senior standing (except International Business Majors)
§ be approved by the department chairperson and the dean's office
§ register for the appropriate course number. (Determined by the Faculty Internship Supervisor)
GPA Requirements for Cameron School of Business:
Accounting: 3.0 Overall GPA and Major GPA. Senior status. Credit replaces business electives, with special permission concentration electives.
Management & Marketing: 3.0 CSB GPA. Senior status. Must have completed MGT 350 (MGT Interns) and MKT 340 (MKT interns). Credit replaces business electives only.
Finance & Economics: 3.0 Overall GPA. Senior status. Credit replaces business electives, with special permission concentration elective.
Information Systems and Operations Management: 3.0 Overall GPA. Senior status. Credit replaces business electives.
International Business: 3.0 Overall GPA. No class level requirement. Credit replaces either business electives or concentration electives.
School of Nursing
Student must:
§ have been formally accepted into the School of Nursing
§ have a 2.5 GPA to apply
§ be in good academic standing with the department
§ be approved by the department chair and the dean's office
§ register for the appropriate course number (Determined by the Faculty Internship Supervisor)
Watson School of Education
Student must:
§ have been accepted into the Watson School of Education
§ have completed all required education courses with a grade of "C" or higher
§ have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
§ register for EDN 409 or EDN 411 depending upon licensure area
QUESTIONS? See Career Services or your Faculty Internship Supervisor Advisor
To receive academic credit for an internship experience, it is suggested that a student satisfactorily complete the following minimum requirements:
1. Meet with Career Services to determine if you qualify.
2. Review internship offerings available from Career Services or through the departmental Faculty Internship Supervisor.
3. Have the employer complete the request for a UNCW Intern detailing internship responsibilities.
4. Receive departmental approval and register for academic credit.
5. Complete a work experience with an approved employer.
6. Maintain a weekly journal of the work/learning experience while on the job.
7. Receive satisfactory employer evaluations.
8. Complete a final reflection paper report as suggested in this workbook, or as assigned by the department awarding credit for the experience.
9. Complete a wrap-up session with Faculty Supervisor.
If asked, make presentations to students and faculty about the work experience.
Course Registration of an Internship
1. Complete the course registration form in consultation with the Faculty Internship Supervisor.
2. The Student and Faculty Supervisor must sign the registration form. The form MUST then be forwarded and signed by the following respectively:
~ Department Chair
~ Dean of the School
~ Registrar's Office
3. The Registrar will distribute copies to the appropriate parties listed at the bottom of the form.
4. Registration must be approved by the Registrar before the end of drop/add registration. Final credits will be recorded on the student transcript by the Registrar upon notification from the Faculty Supervisor.
Questions regarding this information?
Please contact your Faculty Supervisor or Career Services.
RECEIVING/ACCEPTING AN INTERNSHIP OFFER
Once you have received an offer for an internship experience, schedule an appointment with the appropriate faculty member in the department of your major. You must obtain university approval prior to enrolling for academic credit for the experience and before you begin work. Your faculty supervisor will review with you the following:
§ Learning objectives
§ Internship job description
§ Course number and hours of credit to be earned
§ Course requirements with detailed time line for communication and reporting
§ Method of evaluation
Like interviews, offers may come directly from the employer or they may come through Career Services. Please notify the Career Services office of every offer and not just your acceptance of an offer. (If you have accepted the offer, we don't want to continue to refer your classmates for a job that is already filled.)
Get as many details as you can before you accept. What is your rate of pay? When do you start? If the job description was general, ask for a specific list. Who will be your supervisor at the work site? What are the employer's expectations of you?
If the Internship experience will require you to relocate, ask the employer to suggest affordable housing in the area. You also may wish to link up with other students completing an Internship in the same geographic area.
§ Complete the course registration form in consultation with the Faculty Internship Supervisor.
§ The Student and Faculty Supervisor must sign the registration form. The form MUST then be forwarded and signed by the following respectively:
~ Department Chair
~ Dean of the School
~ Registrar's Office
§ The Registrar will distribute copies to the appropriate parties listed at the bottom of the form.
§ Registration must be approved by the Registrar before the end of drop/add registration. Final credits
§ Will be recorded on the student transcript by the Registrar upon notification from the Faculty
§ Supervisor.
Questions regarding this information?
Please contact your Faculty Supervisor or Career Services.
STEPS TO COMPLETION OF AN INTERNSHIP
To receive academic credit for an internship experience, it is suggested that a student satisfactorily complete the following minimum requirements:
1. Meet with Career Services to determine if you qualify.
2. Review internship offerings available from Career Services or through the departmental Faculty Internship Supervisor.
3. Have the employer complete the request for a UNCW Intern detailing internship responsibilities.
4. Receive departmental approval and register for academic credit.
5. Complete a work experience with an approved employer.
6. Maintain a weekly journal of the work/learning experience while on the job.
7. Receive satisfactory employer evaluations.
8. Complete a final reflection paper report as suggested in this workbook, or as assigned by the department awarding credit for the experience.
9. Complete a wrap-up session with Faculty Supervisor.
If asked, make presentations to students and faculty about the work experience.
MEASURABLE LEARNING OBJECTIVES
WHAT, WHY AND HOW?
What do we mean by Measurable Learning Objectives?
Measurable Learning Objectives (MLOs) refer to a set of statements that clearly and precisely describe what it is that you intend to accomplish during your work term.
Why have Learning Objectives in an Internship program?
Internships are primarily academic programs. Credit is granted not for working, but for learning, which occurs as a result of working. Learning Objectives are the most effective method yet devised to assist the extent and value of this learning.
How do I develop and write my own Learning Objectives?
Start by carefully reviewing your job, noting areas where you feel you can gain new skills, increase your knowledge or improve your attitudes or feelings. It is important that you avoid broad general statements and confine your objectives to those which can be accomplished during a single term.
Usually, an MLO combines four major variables to form a single sentence. The variables or components are ACTIVITY, FORECAST, TIME FRAME, and EVALUATION. The activity is the desired outcome or expected achievement, the forecast is the proposed level of accomplishment, the time frame is the expected completion date, and the evaluation is the stated method of measurement.
EXAMPLE:
By the end of the term (TIME FRAME)
I will review effective pricing and value setting (ACTIVITIY)
Which meets corporate marketing specifications (FORECAST)
As evaluated by my work site supervisor (EVALUATION)
A very important element in the development of MLOs is often called the ACTION WORD. There is one action word used in the example above (review). Action words are found in all MLOs because they lead to measurable outcomes. Other examples of action words are demonstrate, describe, develop, draw, discuss, operate, perform, summarize, recognize, etc.
SOME IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER:
§ Avoid broad, general objectives - make them specific and as measurable as possible and try to confine them to those that can be accomplished during the work period.
§ Be sure you have enough knowledge, skill, time and freedom at work to accomplish your learning objectives.
§ Indicate the level of achievement which you expect to obtain, expressed whenever possible in numerical terms. (Ex. Increase speed by 15%)
Minimum length suggested - ten typed pages
1. Write a brief job description including - employer, location, tasks, type of setting.
2. How did you obtain your internship? Tips for other students?
3. Describe your on-the-job training/orientation.
4. What are the connections between what you learned on the job and what you learned in the classroom? Highlight contributions of course work in major to work experience.
5. Did your work experience affect the quality of your classroom work?
6. How does your internship relate to what you want to do after graduation?
7. How did you succeed in meeting each of your Learning Objectives? Be specific. Document changes.
8. What skills did you acquire/enhance on the job? How did this experience stretch you?
9. What did you contribute to the organization (company)?
10. What difficulties or problems did you encounter?
11. Describe the culture of the organization - dress, level of formality, physical structure of offices, staff meetings, hierarchy, worker input in decision-making, reward system.
12. Is the percentage of women, minority and disabled employees in your organization representative of the community population? Have you observed any discrimination in your work setting? If so, how have you felt and responded?
13. What did you discover about your fit in this type of career or organization?
14. What changes did you see in yourself or the organization as a result of your experience?
15. Describe the management style of your supervisor. What style do you prefer? How did leadership style affect employee morale?
16. How valuable was the experience? What payoffs for you?
17. What recommendations would you make to improve the experience?
18. As a result of the work experience, do you still plan to pursue the same career goals? Why?
Tuition is based on the number of credit hours for which the student is registered at the current rate (See the UNCW Catalogue).
PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR STUDENT INTERNS
Each student enrolled in an academic credit internship has the option to obtain professional liability coverage. This coverage is provided for through the University System of the State of North Carolina and is administered by the North Carolina Association of Insurance Agents. Actual coverage is provided by: General Star Indemnity Company.
AMOUNT OF COVERAGE
UNCW Student Interns have $1,000,000 of coverage per occurrence and $3,000,000 per general aggregate for any claim or suit brought against the student, individually or jointly, for acts, errors or omissions arising out of the University-sponsored internship. Legal defense costs are also covered. Medical expense coverage up to $10,000 is also provided in the event you are injured. As with any insurance policy, certain conditions or exclusions may apply.
This insurance program is optional. If your academic department participates in formal internships, as a student you may be encouraged to participate. As a UNCW student intern you can voluntarily accept or decline to buy the professional liability insurance.
RATES
The rates for a single student policy are $15.00 per semester. These are very reasonable rates for the coverage provided.
ELIGIBILITY
Students seeking professional liability insurance coverage must be in formally sponsored university internship/practicum programs. Unrelated summer internships, student organizations or community service programs are not eligible. These programs can include student interns that are paid or unpaid.
Nursing related student interns are not eligible (these interns are provided with professional liability coverage under separate policies).
ENROLLMENT
1. Notify the departmental internship faculty supervisor that you have been notified of the internship offer.
2. Insurance coverage should be purchased at the time of course registration for the Internship/Practicum credit.
EXCLUSIONS TO THIS COVERAGE:
§ Intentional Acts
§ Liquor Liability
§ Pollution Liability
§ Automobile Liability
§ Your property or property of others in your care, custody or control
§ Employment Practice Liability
§ Abuse or Molestation
§ Products/Completed Operations Liability
§ Health Care and Mental Health Services
§ Unauthorized hardware or software tampering, viruses, or use
§ Fiduciary Liability
§ Intellectual Property Liability
REPORTING CLAIMS
Initiation of claims from student interns should be processed through the Faculty Internship Supervisor.
PROHIBITED INTERNSHIP AGREEMENTS
Some internship employers have begun asking UNCW faculty and staff to sign Indemnity and Hold Harmless Agreements, transferring from the employer to UNCW liability for personal claims, wrongful death or property damage arising out of the performance of their student internship program.
The University of North Carolina legal counsel has informed UNCW career Services that there is a list of "Prohibited Contract Clauses" which the NC Attorney General has published for Stat agencies (including UNC schools). Number three on that list of prohibited clauses is "Hold-Harmless or Indemnification Clauses, Both in Tort and Contract, in Favor of the Contractor." Therefore, UNCW and all State agencies actually lack the authority to indemnify and hold harmless another entity, and no UNCW faculty, staff or student should sign such an agreement.
APPENDIX
Print Internship request form (pdf). When completed, please fax to 910.962.4257
UNCW Student Interns follow the semester system.
All students must register for the internship during the required registration periods. The following are approximate semester schedules.
Fall Semester : mid-August - mid - December
Spring Semester: January - early May
Summer I: mid May - mid-June
Summer II: late-June - late July
Thank you for providing UNCW Career Services with this information. Upon receipt, your request will be processed. Students and appropriate faculty will be notified. You will be contacted if additional information is necessary. FAX to 910.962.4257
STUDENT'S MEASURABLE LEARNING OBJECTIVES
The written objective should clearly describe what you intend to accomplish during your internship work term. They will be reviewed by your supervisor (who may suggest changes or additions) during the first two weeks of the term and approved later by your Faculty Supervisor.
At the end of the semester, your supervisor will evaluate how well you accomplished each of the objective by assigning a percentage figure (0-100%) in the column provided below.
Student
Name: 
Student Number: 
By the end of the of the semester, I will accomplish the following objectives as rated by my work supervisor. |
Supervisor's Rating |
1. |
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2. |
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3. |
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Student's Signature 
Date 
Supervisor's Signature 
Date 
Faculty Supervisor's Signature
Date 
SAMPLE I: EMPLOYER EVALUATION OF STUDENT INTERN
Student: __________________________
Semester: _______________________
Organization: ___________________________________________
Supervisor: _______________________
Number of Credit Hours Earned: _______
Please rate the student by indicating the number representing the most appropriate description of the student for each of the following statements.
1=POOR, 2= BELOW AVERAGE, 3=AVERAGE, 4= ABOVE AVERAGE, 5=EXCELLENT, 6=UNABLE TO OBSERVE
1. Students desire to learn about this organization and its program. ______
2. Understands and follows policies and procedures. ______
3. Reliability (punctuality and attendance). ______
4. Presents appropriate appearance for the job. ______
5. Maturity, temperament, and disposition. ______
6. Enthusiasm, energy, and industriousness. ______
7. Student's ability to carry out assigned responsibilities and/ or follow instructions. ______
8. Creativity and imagination (looking for better ways to do things). ______
9. Attitude toward accepting suggestions and criticism. ______
10. Ability to work with people in this setting. ______
11. Cooperation and rapport with fellow staff members. ______
PLEASE RESPOND TO THESE ITEMS:
This student's strength(s) lies in the area(s) of:
This student needs improvement in the area(s) of:
Rating "F"=Fair, "G"=Good, "AA"=Above Average, "E"=Excellent, "N/A"=Not Applicable
I. Job Setting
A. The student has a clear understanding of the services provided by the organization.
Rating: _______ Comments:
B. The student has an understanding of the policies set forth by the organization.
Rating: _______ Comments:
C. The student is appropriate in appearance and demeanor.
Rating: _______ Comments:
II. Job Performance
A. The student is prompt in completing reports/tasks.
Rating: _______ Comments:
B. The student is on time.
Rating: _______ Comments:
C. The student's written work exhibits neatness and clarity of thought.
Rating: _______ Comments:
D. The student maintains confidentiality and good judgment in discussion of issues.
Rating: _______ Comments:
E. The student displays the ability to integrate knowledge learned in the classroom
with his/her practice in the work setting.
Rating:_______ Comments:
- The student is a receptive learner in his/her supervisory conferences.
Rating: _______ Comments:
B. The student is able to respond to critical evaluations adaptively rather than defensively.
Rating: _______ Comments:
C. The student is able to participate in the evaluation of his/her work and understands the value of valuation as a learning tool.
Rating: _______ Comments:
IV. Professional Behavior
A. The student is able to maintain a professional relationship with department staff.
Rating: _______ Comments:
V. Evaluation of Total Performance to Date (Please Circle)
-Poor
-Below
Average
-Average
-Above Average
-Excellent
Signature of Evaluator________________________________
Title____________________
Date__________
SAMPLE II: EMPLOYER EVALUATION OF STUDENT INTERN
Student Name: _______________________________
Student ID#______________
INSTRUCTIONS: The immediate supervisor will evaluate the student objectively, making comparisons with other students of comparable academic level, with other personnel assigned the same or similarly classified jobs, or with individual standards.
Ability To Learn __Learned exceptionally well |
Dependability __Completely |
Attitude Toward Work __Outstanding interest |
Quanty of Work __Excellent |
Relations with Others __Exceptionally good |
Initiative __Proceeds well on own |
Quantity of Work __Unusually high output |
Communication Skills __Exceptional |
Reasoning and Common Sense __Poised and self-confident |
Attendance ___________________
Punctuality ____________________
(Regular, Irregular) (Regular, Irregular)
Observed student strengths:
Observed traits that may hinder this student's advancement:
Please use reverse side for additional remarks.
Immediate Supervisor's Signature___________________________________
Date:___/___/____
Telephone: ____/__________ Email:
STUDENT EVALUATION OF INTERNSHIP
NAME __________________________
DATE_________________
TERM ___________________
ADDRESS__________________________________
__________________________________________
PHONE MAJOR
Indicate the most appropriate response to the statement
(SA = Strongly Agree; A = Agree; D = Disagree; SD = Strongly Disagree; and NA = Does Not Apply).
- My Internship experience was challenging. I was constantly
given tasks that were new and/or varied.
- Performance of my job duties was essential to the employer.
- My supervisor (or training instructor) gave clear, explicit
instructions and did so as often as I needed them.
- My supervisor had an open-door policy. I could contact him/her
whenever I needed talk with him/her.
- I felt that my employer did everything possible to make my
experience significant and meaningful.
- During this Internship term I felt that I was productive for
the organization.
- My training assignment was very well structured. The employer
had a training plan in mind for the Internship experience.
- I feel that I learned a great deal in my career or professional
area.
- My greatest learning occurred in the personal/social area.
- Financial compensation for the work I performed was adequate.
- My Internship experience increased my motivation to obtain
a four-year degree.
- My Internship experience confirmed my career plans.
- My Internship experience helped me to determine some of the
courses I wanted to take when I returned to campus.
- I believe my Internship experience will make me more competitive
in the job market when I graduate.
- I am more confident of my abilities as a result of my Internship
experience.
- My academic preparation for this assignment was adequate.
- I recommend this employer for prospective internship students.
Internship / Employer Name: ______________________________________________________________
Student Intern's Job Title: _________________________________________________________
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UNCW INTERNSHIP ENROLLMENT CHECK LIST
1. Determine interest in internship experience.
2. Look at current and newly developed internship opportunities.
3. Check departmental eligibility qualifications for internship experience.
4. Determine appropriate opportunities that match your interest.
5. Have your resume prepared. Interview for the opportunity.
6. Meet with Departmental Faculty Internship Supervisor to discuss options.
7. Offer is extended from employer for internship experience.
8. Accept or reject the offer.
9. Meet with the Faculty Internship Supervisor and review job description and measurable learning objectives. Faculty Internship Supervisor makes recommendations for additional learning goals and determines the possibility of earning academic credit.
10. Formal application for academic credit is completed with all appropriate signatures.
11. Register for course number and hours of credit.
12. Begin the Internship experience.
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