UNIVERSITY EXPECTATIONS - "T.E.A.M."

I. A PARTNERSHIP

A. Mentor = "PAVERS OF THE WAY"
B. Prepare = A learning environment at your company - Give the student some office space, to establish a sense of being part of the team
C. Teach = Productive, challenging assignments/tasks
D. Coach = Allow them to show you their potential, which will assist in their professional development
E. You, the employer, are an invaluable resource of experiential knowledge to our gifted students
F. The University community desires to partner with you in guiding our students to apply theoretical knowledge gained in the classroom to the work culture

II. T = THREE-WAY PARTNERSHIP

A. You are not alone!

• Employer
• Career Services Advisor (liaison between the student, company and University)
• Faculty Internship Advisor

B. Each of these areas plays an integral part of the success of an internship
C. How does one create the most beneficial learning environment for both the student and employer?

III. E = EXPECTATIONS

A. It is CRITICAL that the job description for the student intern is DETAILED on the Learninq Aqreement which the University will provide as well as discussed with the intern at the inception of the internship

• Learning and employment objectives
• Include dates of employment
• Number of hours per week
• Policies and procedures of the company

B. Provide an ORIENTATION for the student on site

• Introduction to the employees
• Physical layout of the company
• Order of responsibility
• Philosophy/vision of the company

C. The University's expectations are for the tasks to be COMPARABLE TO AN ENTRY-LEVEL PROFESSIONAL and for any CLERICAL TASKS be LIMITED TO 20% OR LESS

IV. A = ACCESSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

A. Discuss and arrange weekly supervisory meetings with the intern
B. Encourage and provide ample time for the student to ask questions and discuss their progress and/or frustrations
C. Verify the student is still enrolled within the internship class, IF THIS IS FOR ACADEMIC CREDIT
D. Provide an EVALUATION OF THE STUDENT'S PERFORMANCE and discuss it with them - the success and the challenges (an evaluation form will be provided by the University for this purpose)
E. Employment hours must be verified per month on the evaluation form as well
F. The Faculty Advisor will desire to also have the opportunity for phone conversations with you (on occasion)

V. M = MAKE KNOWN YOUR OBJECTIVES

A. "PAVE THE WAY" TO SUCCESS FOR ALL
B. Some PRACTICAL. MEASURABLE SUGGESTIONS would be:

• Problem solving
• Creative thinking = new paradigms
• Analytical and critical thinking
• Development of new skills or knowledge
• Identifying opportunities within the internship
• Allowing students to attend staff meetings
• Accompany you on a field visit
• Listen to a conference call

VI. WHEN THE INTERNSHIP IS OVER…

A. Most employers will WRITE A LETTER OF REFERENCE and/or a LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION for the student intern
B. Take some time to EVALUATE THE INTERSHlP and COMMUNICATE THOSE THOUGHTS TO THE UNIVERSITY AS WELL:

• What did you learn?
• What did the student learn?
• What impact did the internship have at your company?
• What was the impact on the other employees?

VII. REMEMBER… WE ARE "PAVERS OF THE WAY"

A. T = THREE-WAY PARTNERSHIP - You are not alone!
B. E = EXPECTATIONS - Detailed and clearly communicated
C. A = ACCESSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY - Not to the student's beckoned call, but at LEAST WEEKL Y, INTERACTIVE MEETINGS WITH THEM
D. M = MAKE KNOWN YOUR OBJECTIVES - and DESIRED RESULTS to both the students and the University

VIII. CONCLUSION

A. CREATING A LEARNING ENVIRONMENT for the student is the FOUNDATION of this partnership
B. It is VITAL that the intern feels their contributions have made a positive impact on the overall objectives of your company
C. Once again, the internship responsibilities should parallel those given to entry-level professionals employed within your organization
D. The University Community desires to know that the internship experience is beneficial to all parties involved, with the HOPEFUL EXPECTATION of FUTURE internship opportunities for other gifted students.