What is an internship?
An internship is an on-site work experience that is either directly related to a students major field of study or their career interest. It can be paid or unpaid, and held during the summer or throughout the academic year. The College of business has 7 majors and they all have the opportunity to offer “internships for Credit.” Students are not required to utilize internships as credit, but this is encouraged.
What is internship for credit?
Students have the option to supplement a business elective with an internship for Fall, Spring, or Summer semester. The student will pay for this class just like any other, and register for the “internship course” so that it counts towards their degree. After registering and starting the internship, the student is bound to your internship for the duration of the semester. During this time, the student will complete modules in the UCF learning management system (Canvas/Webcourses) and a mid-semester and final semester paper to be submitted to the College of Business for the course.
What is my commitment as the employer offering internship for credit?
Employers need to sign off on the student(s) that will be interning with your organization. We require that you also sign a written contract commiting to the hour requirement and employer expectations. At the end of the internship you are provided a survey, giving feedback on the students behavior and overall internship experience. All of this is contingent on your job description being approved by the College of Business team to offer credit. Again, not all internships need to be for credit! This is up to the student and their preferences.
When is a good time to start posting an internship for hire?
Two or three months of lead time is best—before any academic semester begins. This allows your organization time to receive relevant applicants for the position, vet, inter-view, hire, and onboard during the first week of classes. Then, depending on the number of offers, organizational processing time, and possible student discretion, the organization may need to have a second round of interviews. It is also important to keep in mind that if a student would like to count your internship as class credit, a student needs to enrolled no later than 7 days prior to the start of that semester.
Some industries seeking accounting or finance students are historically more competitive. Firms within these industries post internships one year in advance. We recommend mirroring your competitors hiring cycles so that you don’t miss out on proactive top talent. The Employer Relations Team receives internship listings continually on Knightline. Lead time can give you a competitive edge when it comes to the caliber of students that you are vetting for the internship.
What skills should I expect from an intern?
It is important to have very clear responsibilities and qualifications listed on your job description. Of course, you will have students that apply that may not be a perfect fit, but for the most part, students do pay attention to how they match with your “must haves.” In general, employers who offer higher wages and more advanced work should expect a more advanced student with prior internship and relevant job experience under their belt. However, an internship is for learning, so most students that are seeking internships are hoping to acquire skills while they are working for you. Basic skills like Microsoft Office Suites and familiarity with social media platforms will be innate for our students, but more technical proficiencies are usually not taught in the classroom and are learned through internships.
Also, keep in mind that some students have not had professional work experience before. The vast majority of students have only worked in retail or the restaurant industry. Although this provides valuable skills, what may seem common sense to a seasoned professional may not be common knowledge to a student. The College of Business sets expectations for the students regarding dress code and proper written and oral communication, but we encourage employers to offer feedback to their in-terns as well if business etiquette is not up to your standards.
What can I do to increase my chances of finding a perfect fit for the open position?
In addition to qualifying applicants that apply to your job postings, Knightline also has the opportunity for employers to source college of business student resumes based on graduation date, major, or class standing. Students that have opted in to the resume book will be viewable to employers. We encourage you to approach these students directly if their resume is of interest to you. If you are not getting the traction that you desire from the post or sourcing, please feel free to reach out to the Employer Relations Team at cbaemployerrelations@ucf.edu. We have the ability to promote on additional platforms for our employer partners.
What are some benefits of internships and student work experience?
In addition to potential wages earned, student work and internship experience is valuable for exploring fields of work which you may wish to enter after graduation. Experience develops new skills and strengthens existing skills. Work experience helps you establish professional contacts in a potential field of interest. You will be able to demonstrate work setting accomplishments in your resume.
What if my question isn’t answered here?
One of the most effective ways to get answers and plan for your internship search is to contact the Employer Relations Team via email at cbaemployerrelations@ucf.edu.