Georgia Southern Cooperative Internship Program

What is the definition of an Internship?

Factors to be considered in establishing a successful internship:

• Job Description

Some of the typical components of the job description are work duties, responsibilities and requirements. The work duties should be directly related to their academic major. The responsibilities would be those assignments determined by your organization. The requirements could be the student' major, grade point average, skills and abilities.

• Work Assignments

The different responsibilities and tasks assigned to the student should be relevant to the student's academic program and provide an opportunity for student learning.

• Supervisor Selection

An appropriate supervisor should have the ability to relate to college students, and be a positive mentor that encourages the academic, professional and personal growth of the student.  The supervisor should be committed to and enthusiastic about your Co-Op program and should understand the program requirements and the time commitment.  The ability of supervisors in evaluating the student's work performance and providing regular feedback to the student are vital to the success of the intern.

• Pay & Benefits

These are at your discretion.  The pay and benefits for an intern are dependent on several factors such as technical abilities required, GPA requirements, experience of student, and future potential of the student in your organization. Internship salaries tend to resemble salaries of entry level employees in the same field.  Forty to sixty percent of the earnings ($9-19 dollars per hour) of a newly hired professional in that field are considered a reasonable salary for an intern. Some consideration should be given to living expenses incurred by the student while interning. These expenses include travel to and from the work site plus daily living expenses.

• Housing

Housing is an important factor in dictating whether a student can participate in an internship program. Organizations vary in the extent to which they provide housing assistance/benefits.  Some organizations have been providing housing for students, offering reduced housing rates or stipends to interns.  It is critical that prior to your first hire you determine how you will assist students who need housing during their work assignments.  Employers have assisted with housing in a variety of ways including:

• Providing an apartment
• Providing a housing allowance
• Matching students with other Co-Op to share expenses
• Providing info about area housing that offers short term leases

Employer Responsibilities:

1. To ensure that the student’s work is related to his/her major or career.
2. To provide a safe and healthy work environment.
3. To provide a planned work sequence for each student such that he/she is given progressively increasing work responsibilities. Tasks should relate to those that the student would perform if hired as a full-time permanent employee in that position.
4. To develop job description outlining work assignments for the semester.
5. To provide the Internship Coordinator with a mid-term student evaluation and a final student evaluation at the end of the work semester.

How do I start an internship program at Georgia Southern?

1. Register as an Employer in our Eagle Career Net system
2. Post any open internship positions in Eagle Career Net powered by Symplicity
3. Contact Dorsey Baldwin, Assistant Director of Employment at (912) 478-5478 or by email at dbaldwin@georgiasouthern.edu to discuss recruitment opportunities.

Goals & Benefits of an Internship Program

Goals for Student

• Gain practical work experience related to their chosen major
• Further clarify their academic focus and career goals
• Integrate practical knowledge into classroom learning
• Gain an understanding of professional cultures and expectations

Benefits to Employers

• Recruiting Savings – employers spend an average of $6,500 to hire & train new employees, half of whom leave the company after training.  While employers are under no obligation to offer positions to interns upon graduation, they may do so, lowering recruiting & turnover costs.

• Flexibility - meet seasonal needs and release professional staff from work that can be delegated

• Campus Recognition – employers promote their company name and have good public relations on campus when interns have positive experiences with your organization.

• Cost effectiveness – if you hire an intern as a full-time employee after graduation, you hire a trained professional who is productive from day one.

Requirements
Students

The Georgia Southern University Internship Program is open to all full-time undergraduate and graduate students meeting the following requirements:

• Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 (3.00 for graduate students)
• Have completed a minimum of 30 credit hours
• Have attended Georgia Southern for one semester (for Transfer Students)
• Be available to participate in at least one work assignment (one assignment = one semester).  

 Employers Must:

• Provide a Internship that is at least 20-40 hours per week
• Offer a position that is related to the student’s major
• Provide to the student a written job offer and description
• Must work with the student to develop written learning objectives
• Completion of an evaluation of the student at mid-term and at the end of the internship by the student’s direct supervisor

Employer Internship Evaluation

Employers are asked to complete an evaluation of the student at mid-term and at the end of the assignment.  To access the Internship Evaluation please click here.

List of Internship Employers

Posting Internship Positions

You may post Co-Op, internship, & full-time positions for students and alumni with Georgia Southern University through our Eagle Career Net powered by Symplicity system.

• Returning Users go to the Eagle Career Net login page and enter your username & password

• New Users go to the Eagle Career Net login page and click the Register and Post a Local Job (FREE) tab

On-Campus Interviews

The request for an on-campus interview schedule must be submitted through our Eagle Career Net system.  Participating in on-campus interviews allows you to meet with many students during one campus visit.  On-campus interviews are conducted during the fall and spring semester.  All interviews are conducted in the Career Services Office located on the 1st floor of the Williams Center unless otherwise indicated.  Unless otherwise requested, interviews are scheduled at 30 minutes intervals beginning at 8:30 AM and ending at 4:30 PM
Interview space is limited and may fill quickly!  Schedule your on-campus interviews before the semester begins to maximize your recruitment visit.

Interviews will occur during the following months:
Fall Semester: September – November
Spring Semester: January – April

There are two types of interview schedules/models Preselect & Open.  Employers must choose one interview schedule/model.

Preselect – only students who have been pre-selected by an employer can sign up on these schedules. To be considered for a pre-select schedule, a candidate must meet ALL specified requirements (i.e. GPA, Major, Grad Date) and submit a resume during the resume submission period. From the pool of resumes submitted, the employer will select candidates to invite for interviews.

Open - students must meet ALL specified interview requirements (i.e. GPA, Major, Grad Date).  If the requirements are met, candidates can sign up for an interview slot during the sign up period on a first come, first serve basis.

For step-by-step instructions on how to request an on-campus interview schedule click here.

Click here to access Eagle Career Net.

Co-Op, Internship & Summer Job Fair

To register for the 2nd Annual Co-Op, Internship & Summer Job to be held Wednesday, January 21, 2009 from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, log into Eagle Career Net and click the EVENTS tab.

Examples of Great Employer Internship Programs

• Milliken & Company
  
• Target

GSU Internship Contacts

For more information about the Georgia Southern University Internship Program:

Mrs. Dorsey Baldwin                                            
Assistant Director of Employment                         
Office of Career Services                                     
(912) 478-5478                                                   
dbaldwin@georgiasouthern.edu           

Mr. Warren Riles
Director
Office of Career Services
(912) 478-5197
rileswl@georgiasouthern.edu