Internship Information for Employers
For Parkside students, there are many ways we put learning into action, such as studying abroad, engaging in research, and working in a field of study as part of a class project in a community-based learning class or employment beyond the classroom. Perhaps one of the most powerful opportunities to gain professional experience is an internship. That's where you come in.
WHAT IS AN INTERNSHIP?
University Definition
A supervised discipline-related work experience that integrates career-relevant learning activities into the university education. An internship should include an experiential learning strategy, an emphasis on professional development, performance assessment, and reflections
Internship Characteristics
An internship is an opportunity for students to obtain career relevant experience. The academic internship for credit requires additional participation on your part as determined by the supervising faculty member in a related academic discipline. Organizations offering unpaid internships should be mindful of characteristics outlined by the US Department of Labor, especially if offered by a for-profit entity.
GETTING STARTED
Providing interns with real work is number one to ensuring a successful intern partnership. That means interns should be doing work related to an entry level position in their major. The work is recognized as valuable to the organization and students.
Internship Best Practices
UW-Parkside follows guidelines established by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) to offer you assistance in developing new internships, structuring an internship program, reviewing best practices on the site, and assessing wages.
When creating an internship, it is important that the intern has guidance and is supervised on site by someone with expertise in the field. If you are unsure about the career relevance, we can make an introduction to a faculty member and an academic discipline that matches your internship experience.
Internships are clearly defined, and that means starting with a position description. Parkside students are in high demand and organizations may need to be competitive to attract top talent. Use your position description to stand out.
Position Description Worksheet
You may also find The Talent Generator, developed by UW Extended Campus, to be a great place to begin.
RECRUIT INTERNS OR MICRO-INTERNS
Internships on Handshake
If you have already developed an internship, students use Handshake to explore and pursue opportunities. The Advising and Career Center and the Center for Community and Business Engagement work closely to offer employer resources to market your positions to students online and on-campus.
Micro-internships on Parker Dewey
If you’re looking for high-quality talent to tackle short-term projects, create a Micro-Internship with Parker Dewey. These complement existing internship and campus recruiting programs by providing opportunities to engage prospective candidates year-round—even while they are taking classes.
Internships are a great opportunity for students to apply their knowledge and skills to experiences outside of the classroom while contributing to community organizations and companies. Every year, hundreds of Parkside students engage in internships and we are excited to hear and share the stories of how they've put their learning in action!
Kaila Bingen
Experiential Education Specialist
bingenk@uwp.edu | 262-595-2113
Alan E. Guskin Center for Community and Business Engagement
Wyllie Hall D130L
900 Wood Road Kenosha, WI 53144
Parking: Lots A, B