Basic guidelines for an internship:
- The minimum time commitment for student participation is 40 hours per quarter, based on the ten week quarter, which typically works out to a minimum of 4 - 6 hours per week. Many internships require at least 8 - 10 hours per week.
- An internship can be paid or non-paid (the majority of them are paid), especially those that are located off campus or outside of Davis. As an alternative to an hourly wage, some employers offer a "stipend" - a flat amount based upon an agreed number of hours completed in the internship.
- A professional staff member, not another student, should supervise the intern.
- The intern should be involved in academic or career related work. Clerical duties should be limited to no more than 20% of the intern's workload.
- Internships may: A) provide assistance with the ongoing work of a business or organization, or B) involve a special project or assignment, thus allowing the intern to focus on one particular aspect of the experience.
- Students at all levels of education are eligible to participate in an internship - freshman through graduate student - depending upon the needs of the organization. The intern sponsor determines the qualifications and skills needed for each position.
- An internship requires a one-quarter minimum commitment, although many internship sponsors prefer a two or even three-quarter commitment from students.
- Students are encouraged to complete Transcript Notation requirements to document that their experience is university approved. Forms are available through the ICC. Depending upon the class level of the student and the nature of the internship, students may also choose to pursue Academic Credit for their participation in an internship.