Internship Worksite Roles and Responsibilities
Hiring an intern is similar in many ways to hiring an entry-level employee. As with new employees, interns need some assistance with the transition into a new working environment and clear communications about what the expectations are. The difference lies in the extent to which coaching and mentoring are required. The internship is intended to be a learning experience that complements a student's academic program. Thomas College asks employers which hire our students as interns to:
- Provide a safe working and learning environment
- Provide a written job description for the student
- Review the student's Learning Contract to ensure the dates, hours, tasks, and other criteria are accurate and the student's learning objectives seem reasonable and achievable within the internship context
- Provide worksite mentoring and supervision throughout the internship; designate a mentor who will be the primary contact person and supervisor for the intern
- Discuss the student's progress with the student at regular intervals during the internship, providing both positive and constructive feedback
- Discuss student's progress with the faculty advisor or internship director
- Provide comprehensive training that will prepare interns for expected work. Training should include workplace policies, safety protocol, job specific skills, and overall expectations.
- Site mentors should provide interns the opportunity to gain a broader understanding of all areas of business operations at some time during their internship.
- The organization is responsible for ensuring paid interns are covered by appropriate liability insurance. Thomas College covers students who are unpaid and who are interning for college credit.
- Complete a written student evaluation at the end of the internship (form to be provided) and return it to the internship director.
Other considerations when hiring an intern:
- All paid interns should be considered "employees" not "independent contractors" for IRS purposes.
- Interns may be considered "trainees" under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) if criteria are met.
For more information, contact The Internship Center, 859-1464, or CareerHelp@Thomas.edu
