Internship Responsibilities

Internship responsibilities for students

In order to complete an internship, it is your responsibility to:

  • Apply to positions of interest in order to secure a placement site. The application process will include you creating and submitting a resume and participating in an interview with each employer. Applying does not guarantee placement.
  • Find a faculty sponsor.
  • Complete and submit the learning contract.  
  • Schedule your hours so that the expected number of hours can be completed within a given semester.
  • Complete the work and evaluation requirements listed on the learning contract.
Credits & Hours of Work/Semester
  • One credit hour requires 45 hours on site.
  • Up to six credits can be earned in a single semester for an internship experience.
  • Time spent completing assignments listed in the learning contract under “Evaluation Requirements” does not count towards the 45 hours/credit.
credit hours and hours of work per semester
Internship Credits Hours of Work /Semester
1 credit 45 hours (3 hours/week)
2 credits 90 hours (6 hours/week)
3 credits 135 hours (9 hours/week)
4 credits 180 hours (12 hours/week)
5 credits 225 hours (15 hours/week)
6 credits 270 hours (18 hours/week)
Learning Contract

Internships must have a learning contract. Students will complete a learning contract after meeting with Career Services.

  • Completed and signed learning contracts are due within one week of the start of an internship.
  • It is the student's responsibility to meet with the faculty mentor and establish learning outcomes and methods of evaluation for the contract.
  • It is the student's responsibility to meet with the site supervisor and establish the job description for the contract.
Career Services Forms

Forms for students to complete:

Forms for hosts and site supervisors to complete:

Internship responsibilities for faculty mentors

Faculty mentors oversee the educational mentorship of the internship.

  • Help students identify potential placement sites, as necessary.
  • Work with the student to identify appropriate educational objectives, assignments, and evaluation requirements.
  • Sign the learning contract.
  • Maintain regular contact with the student to ensure they are meeting expectations. Weekly or bi-weekly meetings with students are encouraged to address any issues or concerns that may arise.
  • Maintain regular contact with the site supervisor to ensure their expectations are also being met.
  • Work with Career Services, as needed, to request professional development training for students or address other concerns throughout the internship.
  • Evaluate student work, provide regular feedback, and assign a grade.

Internship responsibilities for site supervisors

Site supervisors oversee the career work experience of the internship.

  • Clearly state expectations of the intern in the learning contract.
  • Provide a wholly educational experience, especially if unpaid (i.e. no “grunt work” unrelated to the listed job requirements).
  • Mentor the intern by giving them exposure to various aspects of a particular career and engaging them in meaningful work.
  • Communicate directly with the intern to address any issues that may arise throughout the internship. Career Services is  available to provide support and assist if needed.
  • Respond to requests for information from the student and/or faculty sponsor for the purpose of evaluating progress.
  • Complete the Intern Evaluation Form for each intern you host in a given semester. Career Services will email this form to you.
  • Review the NYS DOL wage guidelines for interns for non-profit organizations or for-profit businesses, depending on your business type.