Developing an internship at your organization
Due to the nature of students’ academic schedules, they often look for internship opportunities of limited duration, so employers find interns to be an ideal solution to this problem.
Paid interns make ideal workers, eager to learn, and eager to make a good impression. The pay rate for most local undergraduate internships in the Reno-Sparks area starts at $15 an hour. Some specialized internships will pay up to $30 an hour. There are legal considerations applicable to for-profit businesses that wish to provide unpaid internship positions.
For an unpaid internship position with a for-profit employer, interns must be gaining experience directly correlated with their major or academic coursework and receive ongoing professional development and mentorship. Unpaid internships must also not result in any immediate gain for the organization providing the experience.
For more information, refer to the U.S. Department of Labor about internship programs under The Fair Labor Standards Act.
Establish the necessary organizational support
- Designate a mentor/supervisor for the intern
- Decide whether the intern will work in one department or several
- Determine the kind of orientation and training the intern will need
- Provide safe working facilities. Make available equipment, supplies, and space necessary for the student to perform their duties.
- Assume liability for work-related injuries sustained by the intern, insofar as the agency may determine the same to be required by law in that state.
Write a position description
Include the following:
- Brief organization description and organization website
- Position title
- Skills and qualifications required/preferred (not academic majors)
- Duties and responsibilities
- Start/end dates of the internship and approximate hours per week
- Rate of pay, if applicable (please see below)
- Location (city, state)
- Any special considerations (such as specific working hours or days, transportation)
- Application instructions (how should they apply, and with what materials)
Examples of internship opportunities
Special projects
Interns can be assigned to organize research projects, plan special events, develop special promotional campaigns, or design web pages. When developing an internship involving special projects, you should identify goals, timelines, and outcomes so that everyone understands the purpose and expectations involved.
On-going operations
Certain businesses and organizations routinely experience peak periods where additional staff is needed. Others may operate under very limited budgets and need additional staff throughout the year. Interns may be able to alleviate some of these problems.
Interns may be assigned to serve as facilitators for youth groups, human resource management support staff, public relations assistants or marketing associates. Remember that students are looking for internships that provide them with professional experience and an opportunity to learn.