START AN INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Supercharge Your Talent Pipeline
Interns aren’t for fetching coffee. Well-executed internship programs bring in fresh perspectives, create a pipeline for new hires and provide mentorship opportunities for existing employees, all while getting extra work done.
Benefits of an internship program
Pipeline
56% of interns convert to full-time employees.
Longevity
44% of employees hired after completing an internship stay for 5 years or more.
Accepted Offers
80% of interns who are extended a job offer at the company where they interned accept them.
Healthy Culture
Companies with internship programs report healthier work culture and higher company morale.
What to Know About Internships
According to National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), “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 workplace setting. Internships provide students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience, develop social capital, explore career fields, and make connections in professional fields. In addition, internships serve as a significant recruiting mechanism for employers, providing them with the opportunity to guide and evaluate potential candidates.”
Internships range in duration, pay, and description from one organization to the next. However, NACE believes that all internships should include:
- A learning experience with a real-world opportunity to apply classroom knowledge. Rather than replace the work a regular employee would routinely perform, students make substantive contributions to operations or complete projects.
- Learned skills and knowledge that are transferable to other employment settings.
- A defined beginning and end that is mutually agreed upon and consistent with institutional sponsor guidelines and schedules.
- A position description with clear responsibilities and required/desired qualifications.
- Clearly defined learning objectives or goals that support the student’s academic program and the university's requirements.
- Direct supervision by a professional(s) with relevant expertise who provides productive feedback, guidance, and the resources and equipment necessary to successfully complete the assignment.
How to Get Started
Considering starting an internship program? We have two fantastic resources to help you get started:
- Internship Quick Guide: A concise overview to kickstart your internship program.
- Internship Playbook: An in-depth resource packed with valuable information and tools to ensure your program's success.
Download both here!
For personalized support and advice, don't hesitate to reach out to your Relationship Manager. We're here to help every step of the way!
Additional Resources
- Internship Project Ideas (coming soon!)
- Sample Projects (coming soon!)
- Sample Internship Role Descriptions (coming soon!)
- Sample Offer Letter
- Sample Intern Evaluation Form (coming soon!)
- Planning Your Internship Checklist (coming soon!)
- Internship Planning Worksheet (coming soon!)
- Onboarding Checklist (coming soon!)
Internship FAQ's
While academic credit may appear to be an alternate form of compensation, many students do not value academic credit as a compensatory option, since they have to pay and register for academic credits. Additionally, organizations also cannot offer credit as compensation – decisions regarding the awarding of academic credit are solely within the purview of the University of Utah faculty.
An hourly wage for an intern will vary widely, depending on the industry in which you work, the major or skillset of the student you are recruiting, and his or her level of experience. Internships can range from minimum wage for some roles and up to $25 or more an hour for more technical skill sets. An hourly wage cannot be less than the minimum wage for the state in which the student will be working.
As much as possible, an internship should be flexible in nature, as it is generally something a student pursues while also taking classes. During the academic year, internships are typically part-time, between 10-20 hours a week; not to exceed 20 hours a week (August-May). Summer internships, or those during a semester in which the student is not enrolled in courses, can require up to 40 hours a week. Please note that we strongly encourage internships that require more than 20 hours/week of students to be paid on an hourly or stipend basis, regardless of industry. Offering an unpaid full-time summer internship will likely result in no applicants, as most students cannot commit that amount of time to an unpaid opportunity.
Handshake is the primary place for employers to find applicants for internships and jobs. Additional recruiting options are available here.
Reach out to your Relationship Manager.
New to recruiting at the U? Email us at HireU@utah.edu to get matched with a dedicated Relationship Manager.
New to Recruiting at the U?
Email us at HireU@utah.edu to get matched with a dedicated Relationship Manager.
