What is an 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 (National Association of Colleges and Employers - NACE).
For a step-by-step guide for creating and managing an internship program, download the:
Internship Fair
Interested in recruiting at the Fall 2023 Internship Fair? Registration is NOW OPEN on Handshake.
If you have any questions about registering to attend Internship Fair, please feel free to contact us at career@fiu.edu. We look forward to you joining us at the next Internship Fair.
Hosting an intern
As you think about hosting an intern, it is important to make sure your organization is ready. Start by reviewing this checklist to see where your organization/department stands. While it is not required that you have a check in each box, it is good to begin thinking about the following considerations:
Please see Employer Manual for additional resources and sample forms on creating internship programming.
NACE Standards
In addition to the U.S. Department of Labor's guidelines, Career and Talent Development also follows the standards established by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). All of the following criteria must be met:
- The experience must be an extension of the classroom: a learning experience that provides for applying the knowledge gained in the classroom. It must not be simply to advance the operations of the employer or be the work that a regular employee would routinely perform.
- The skills or knowledge learned must be transferable to other employment settings.
- The experience has a defined beginning and end, and a job description with desired qualifications.
- There are clearly defined learning objectives/goals related to the professional goals of the student's academic coursework.
- There is supervision by a professional with expertise and educational and/or professional background in the field of the experience.
- There is routine feedback by the experienced supervisor.
- There are resources, equipment, and facilities provided by the host employer that support learning objectives/goals.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.