Cooperative Education and Internship Program Overview for Employers
"My internship was an amazing, once-in-a- lifetime chance for me. I learned and did so much. I also met many people that will help me to network and build my future career"
Mia Giobbi, Communication Studies Intern
The UW-La Crosse Cooperative Education and Internship Program is one of the largest programs in the UW-System and features regional and national opportunities.
The popularity of the program is due to the flexibility for employers as well as students. Although some internships follow the timeline for academic semesters (fall, spring and summer), others are part-time, year round or for a specified timeframe to complete a special project. The employer may request the most accommodating perimeters for the experience and may specify their preference for certain majors.
If you wish to discuss an idea for an internship you may contact one of our Career Services staff members.
HOW DO EMPLOYERS BENEFIT ?
- Identify potential new employees in an on-the-job setting
- Meet short term and special project personnel needs
- Support the university community and increase your company's visibility on campus
- Reduce your recruitment and training costs through potential retention of interns
- Provide some financial support to the intern at entry level wages
WHAT ABOUT COMPENSATION FOR INTERNS ?
Since most UW-L students work to finance their education, paid internships are preferred. Some employers offering paid opportunities attract a more experienced candidate. In addition, some employers offer unpaid internships and if students value the career-related experience, they are willing to volunteer their time. If you have any questions on prevailing wage rates for various internship positions contact the Career Services staff.
In response to the recent changes in the
economy, the
U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour
Division has re-examined the criteria for unpaid
internships. Please consider the following criteria during
the development of internships within your organization.
If there are any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel
free to contact the UW-LA Crosse Career Services Office Employer
Relations Coordinator, Lore Vang, at 608-785-6949.
Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division Criteria for an Unpaid Internship*.
- The internship, even though it includes actual operation of the facilities of the employer, is similar to training which would be given in an educational environment;
- The internship experience is for the benefit of the intern;
- The intern does not displace regular employees, but works under close supervision of existing staff;
- The employer that provides the training derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the intern; and on occasion its operations may actually be impeded;
- The intern is not necessarily entitled to a job at the conclusion of the internship; and
- The employer and the intern understand that the intern is not entitled to wages for the time spent in the internship.
See this U.S. Department of Labor factsheet for more information, http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs71.pdf.
*The National Association of Colleges and Employers
recommends the following standard definition of "internship":
An internship
is a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and
theory learned in the classroom with practical application and
skills development in a professional setting. Internships give
students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and
make connections in professional fields they are considering for
career paths; and give employers the opportunity to guide and
evaluate talent.
WHAT IS THE RECRUITING TIMETABLE ?
The largest pool of candidates will be available according to the student's academic planning cycle. Internships can be posted at anytime throughout the year but as a guide, employers should post internships for the maximum exposure as follows:
- Mid October - for spring semester interns beginning on/about January 21 for up to 16 weeks
- Early December - for summer interns beginning on/about May 20 for up to 14 weeks
- Mid March - for fall semester interns beginning on/about September 15 for up to 16 weeks
- Anytime - for special projects and short term needs
HOW DO STUDENTS APPLY ?
All internships are posted in Eagle Opportunities for students to access anytime. Employers may ask students to apply directly with a cover letter and resume, set-up on campus interview schedule or collect resumes from students using Eagle Opportunities.
Following the application deadline, employers review resumes, determine qualified candidates and schedule interviews. If a suitable candidate is found, an offer follows. Students are advised that positions are competitive and not all candidates are offered an internship.
HOW DO EMPLOYERS ESTABLISH AN INTERNSHIP AT UW-L ?
UW-L interns should be
considered professional entry level employees and should be
given meaningful, college level experiences with adequate
training, supervision and evaluation.
All interns have a position
description, drafted by the employer in the posting process.
ARE THERE SAMPLE POSITION DESCRIPTIONS? (samples are in MS Word format)
WHAT ABOUT THE PAPERWORK ?
Employers are asked to complete the following reports:
Position Description for Internship (This is a form created in MS Word. Right click and select "Save Target As" to save this document to your local drive. Then complete form, save it to your local drive and return to Career Services by email. Address and contact information is shown on the form.)
Student/ Employer Work Agreement (.pdf format, intended only as sample)
Employer Evaluation at Mid-term and Final (.pdf format, intended only as sample)
Students choose a faculty advisor from UW-L to work with and prepare monthly progress reports plus a final evaluation on the work assignment. Some faculty advisors assign a student project that relates to the internship.