An internship is a great sharing experience where the employer benefits by getting an extra set of eager helping hands and a fresh, outside perspective and the student gains insight into a position/industry while learning from the mentor's professional experience. 

 

You can sponsor an intern in 1 of 2 ways, one where the student is pursuing course credit and the other where the student is not pursuing course credit.

 

If the student intern is pursuing course credit

 

If the student is pursuing course credit, the student and employer work through the department's internship coordinator.  The Marketing internship office requires students work 300 hours over the 15 week semester and that the experience be more professional rather than clerical.  Some clerical work is ok.  We also ask the employer to "grade" the intern at the end of the term and pay the intern a minimum of $6/hr (some exceptions made).  Students are required to have a 2.8 GPA.  Whether or not employment continues past the semester's end is up to the employer and intern.  It is otherwise understood that this is a 1 semester commitment.

 

If the student intern is not pursuing course credit

 

In this case, the student and employer are not bound by any of the above and can set their own parameters such as paid/unpaid, number of hours worked, duties & duration of position.  Some students are willing to work for the sole benefit of professional experience and forego the pay while others require some form of monetary compensation.

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As you can see, internships can be very flexible.  I will be glad to answer any other questions you have; e-mail me at cynthia.gundy@bus.ucf.edu .  When you are ready, fax in your registration form so that we can reserve your booth.  We look forward to seeing you at the Expo!