Guidelines for Internship Supervisors

Thank you for your interest in serving as an intern supervisor for our URI students.

 

 
 
 
 

What We Ask of You  |  ⇡ MENU

Our primary concern is providing our students with a professional learning experience. In order to do this we ask the supervisor and placement site to:

  • Provide the student with a hands-on learning experience that combines practical application, observation, professional opportunities and mentorship.
  • Provide feedback on the student goals and assist the student in meeting the objectives.
  • Provide adequate supervision in a safe environment with the necessary tools and equipment to perform intended services.
  • Be willing to provide more autonomy and responsibility as the intern demonstrates competence.
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Past students have indicated that regularly scheduled meetings with the supervisor to discuss work assignments and performance greatly enhances the student’s experience as well as productivity.

Appropriate vs. Inappropriate Work for Students  |  ⇡ MENU

There are many different tasks for students that may or may not be appropriate for a student who is earning credit. The majority of work should be beneficial for the student and enhance their career goals or objectives. If you are unsure of whether something is appropriate or inappropriate contact the CCEE. Here are some examples of each:

Appropriate Work for a StudentInappropriate Work for a Student

• Development, assessment, or evaluation of programs
• Web development
• Participating in important meetings/discussions and taking an active role
• Challenging work related to student's career interests (as applicable to the internship placement)
• Assisting "walk-in" individuals or clients
• Promotion and advertising
• Creating programs or events
• Demonstrating writing, reading, and/or math skills on a level required for employment in a chosen career field


• Personal errands for employer
• Work that is potentially unsafe
• Performing administrative tasks (filing, copying, answering phones, etc.) that make up more than 30% of the intern's work responsibilities*

*Administrative tasks are present and necessary in any job or internship,
however your student is earning academic credit for his/her experience.
Once the job becomes more administrative than learning-focused, it ceases to be an internship and becomes a paid work position.

The Department of Labor holds that if all six of the following conditions are met, the student is not considered an employee and not entitled to at least minimum wage and overtime:

  • The training, even though it includes actual operation of the facilities of the employer, is similar to that which would be given in a vocational school.
  • The training is for the benefit of the trainees.
  • The trainees do not displace regular employees, but work under close observation.
  • The employer that provides the training derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the trainees, and on occasion his operations may actually be impeded.
  • The employer and the trainees understand that the trainees are not entitled to wages for the time spent training.
  • The trainees are not necessarily entitled to a job at the completion of the training period.

Recommendations for Supervisors  |  ⇡ MENU

Preparing for Your Student

  • Upon arrival your student will need an introduction to your organization, including the structure, policies (both formal & informal), dress code, agency mission, clientele, and confidentiality issues.
  • Consider the necessary resources and prepare a workspace for the student to do the job successfully.
  • Determine what time and when you will be available during the week for your student to access you.
  • Consider responsibilities that are career related, challenging, and realistic for your student to complete.

At the Start of the Experience

  • Clarify the agency’s mission, clientele, and confidentiality issues.
  • Orient the student to their new work environment and safety issues.
  • Discuss what roles and responsibilities the student will have.
  • Provide supervisor contact information including phone and email.
  • Outline agency policies including dress, parking, and hours.

During the Experience

  • Conduct an orientation and training session.
  • Clarify the access a student has to a supervisor during the week.
  • Assign duties that are career related, challenging, and realistic.
  • Provide the necessary resources to do the job successfully.
  • Use the company’s best people as supervisors and mentors.
  • Include student in daily activities – including lunch!
  • Provide detailed explanations of projects students are starting.
  • Provide timely feedback regarding student’s job performance through the evaluation process and daily interaction.
  • Offer compensation when feasible and appropriate.
  • Encourage networking by creating opportunities for the students to interact with key people within the organization.
  • Offer real, meaningful work to the interns that they can showcase in their professional portfolio.