The sponsoring organization makes a commitment to the student and the program to provide a supportive and stimulating environment and a clearly defined role for the intern with attainable, measurable outcomes. The organization benefits from the perspective, expertise and enthusiasm of soon-to graduate, highly motivated, well educated communicators. The students are given clear guidance, support as well as intellectual and personal challenges by the internship Program Director and other Communications faculty.
Responsibilities
- Develops a work plan with the intern outlining job duties and responsibilities, learning objectives, and growth of responsibility.
- Provides supervision and direction to the intern, assigning activities which will enable the intern to meet the established objectives.
- Meets with the department's Internship Program Director to evaluate the intern's performance during the director's visit to the work site.
- Submits mid-term and final evaluations of the intern's performance to the Internship Program Director by the requested dates to assist the program director in making final evaluation of the intern's progress.
- Notifies the Internship Program Director of any problems which may involve or affect the intern.
- Meet with the student mid-term and at the conclusion of internship to share performance evaluation.
FAQ's from the Sponsor
Why are internships important?
To stay competitive, today's employers need highly skilled people who can think critically, solve problems, make independent decisions, and be effective team members. Schools alone cannot provide students with the necessary combination of academic, technical and social skills; they need the support and involvement of the business community. In forming a partnership, teachers and employers can create learning opportunities that expose young people to the skills, experience, and attitudes essential to succeed in today's economy.
What are the benefits of work-based learning?
Work-based learning has significant benefits for the employer. It helps expand the pool of job applicants and reduce training costs. Employers also realize productive work completed by interns adds value to their businesses. Employers enjoy a positive public image, and meet civic responsibilities by playing a visible role in partnering with schools and students. Further, employers boost company morale and have the satisfaction of knowing they are investing in the future.
How can you, the employer, ensure confidentiality?
Employers should provide the same confidentiality training for interns that they provide regular employees. Interns may be required to sign nondisclosure statements, if applicable. Interns may require more time to grasp the concepts of confidentiality.
What liability issues arise with internships?
Students participating in paid internships must be covered under the employer's workers' compensation insurance and liability policy. Students in unpaid internships who are earning academic credit, are usually covered by their school's policies. Some employers will cover unpaid students under their company's general liability insurance. Liability usually is concerned with injury or damage to property.
How long does an internship last?
The internship usually lasts a full semester (14-15 wks), but may continue for a longer period of time if it benefits both the students intern and the employer.
Will the intern get paid for the internship?
Many internships are paid positions. The hourly wage depends on the intern's experience and skills. Some internships are not paid, and a student may receive academic credit for her work at your company.
Do internships result in permanent job hires?
An internship provides an opportunity for employers to recruit permanent job hires to meet organizational needs. But it is not a commitment on the part of the employer to hire.
What can the intern do when your staff has limited time to supervise?
You can establish with your intern some projects from the outset of the internship which the intern can complete on an ongoing basis with little supervision. Some examples of intern projects like this are: updating a database, reorganizing project files, preparing marketing materials, doing on going research to support company initiatives.
What if the intern does not meet your expectations? Can an intern be terminated?
If an intern does not meet your expectations regarding skill levels or abilities to work on particular projects, you should shift the intern to other work more appropriate for her skill level, if at all possible. Identify areas where the intern is not successful in the position to see if current training resources could be provided to bring the intern's skills up to par. If, indeed, the intern is not capable of the job you envisioned, it may be necessary to terminate the internship. It is also possible to terminate the internship if the intern engages in unprofessional conduct or violates any aspect of the internship contract.
What is your role in the development of the internship plan?
The Internship Work plan is not only an academic tool. It is a method for the intern to establish workplace goals, and objectives. It is also an opportunity for you, the employer to establish clear guidelines for supervision and work standards. When your intern presents the draft of the work plan, offer feedback and suggestions; help the student identify opportunities at your work site which may be appropriate for the intern. Introduce the intern to real workplace measurements of performance. Retain a copy of the work plan; it will help you evaluate the intern , and also help you structure future internships for other students.
How do you approach a problem with your intern?
Often, a conversation is all that is needed to address a problem with the intern. Many interns are experiencing the work-place for the first time and a gentle discussion about inappropriate workplace behaviors is all that is needed to resolve the issue. Generally, you should contact the student's Internship Advisor to discuss any problems that may arise that can not be solved by routine personnel procedures.
What do you have to evaluate the intern?
There are two EMPLOYER EVALUATIONS OF INTERN available on this website - It should be submitted to the Internship Director by fax or e-mail. Click here to get to the links. At approximately midway though the internship, the Internship Director will request a visit to the site to meet with you and the intern. This visit gives important midpoint feedback.
What does the site visit consist of?
The Internship Director plans on being at your site for about 30 minutes to do:
- Intern run tour of the site and internship projects. (15 min.)
- A sit down check in with the intern, the sponsor and Director. (5 min.)
- A review with the sponsor and Director about the internship. (10 min.)
- The Internship Director will contact you directly to schedule the visit at a convenient time for you.
Sample Evaluation Forms
- View a sample mid-term evaluation form
- View a sample final evaluation form
Sponsor Site List
Advertising
Hill Holiday
Arnold Worldwide
Greenberg, Seronick, O'Leary & Partners
Mullen Advertising
Publishing/Publications
Houghton Mifflin & Co.
Jerome Press Publications
Inc. Magazine
Horticulture Magazine
Offshore Magazine
The Boston Globe
The Boston Pheonix
Appalacian Mountain Club Magazine
The Horn Book
American Prospect
Harvard Common Press
Teen Voices Magazine
Office of The Attorney General
Public Relations
Boston Ballet
The Bostonian Society
Museum of Fine Arts
Brodeur Worldwide
Weber Shandwick
Kortenhaus Communications
Cone, Inc.
Leary & Co.
Bishoff Soloman Communications
Events Planning/Promotions
BAA: The Boston Marathon
Rosie's Place
WGBH Two Collection
Planetary Group
Star 93.7 FM
Greater Boston Radio Group
Disney Radio
Broadcast/Film Production
CBS Radio & TV
New England News Network
WHDH TV
Over The Moon Productions
ICA
Interlock Media
Pangaea Multimedia
Brookline Access Television
Design
Mass Teacher's Association
Books By Design, Inc.
Inc. Magazine
Boston Magazine
Arts in Progress
Museum of Science
Hill Holiday
A.E. Schwartz & Associates
Marketing
Thompson Financial
State Street
Cape Cod Potato Chips
Schneider & Associates
BizLand