Suggestions for Success
Suggestions for a Successful Internship Program
- Interview students for internship positions just as you would a potential employee.
- Extend an offer and determine rate of pay, benefits and perks with student intern.
- Determine if your business has any policies, special requirements, etc. for student interns. Ensure that the appropriate paperwork is completed.
- If a student is receiving course credit for the internship, make contact with the internship advisor at Texas Tech and complete all required paperwork to establish the internship.
- Provide an orientation for student interns with a checklist to make sure all key points of operation are covered.
- Select a mentor from the office to advise the student intern and to oversee all projects.
- Work with the student intern to create a functional weekly schedule.
- Develop clear, well communicated expectations. Provide timely feedback.
- Provide student interns with meaningful work. Student interns may be involved in menial tasks, but also assign them a project of their own to provide practical experience.
- Treat student interns as a valuable part of the team.
- Educate student interns on the history and the overall operations of the business.
- Introduce student interns to employees in other departments when appropriate.
- Invite student interns to attend appropriate meetings, presentations, etc.
- Be available for questions. Remember this is a learning experience for the student.
- Keep an on-going performance file on each student intern for future reference.
- Complete an evaluation on the student intern upon completion of internship. Keep a copy of the evaluation to include in each student interns' file.
Some main items to include:
- Introduction to the staff
- Phone, fax and copy machine (and other office specific equipment)operations
- Confidentiality and Security Agreements
- Safety Issues
- General Code of Conduct
- Dress Code
- Normal business hours and lunch hours
- Parking arrangements
University Career Services, Box 45006, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409
Phone Number: 806.742.2210, Fax Number: 806.742.2474