Co-ops/Internship Employer Information

Hire UND students for your company's internships and co-ops.

UND Career Services can walk you through the steps.

Co-Ops vs Internships

Credit earned varies between the two. 

• Co-ops are generally treated as full-scale work experiences, always compensated and may be from 3-9 months in length. Co-ops may be tied to accreditation standards or (for employers) to state or federal funding.
• Internships may be of shorter duration and may or may not be compensated (although compensation is encouraged).

Internship Criteria (According to NACE)

• The experience must be an extension of the classroom: a learning experience that provides for applying the knowledge gained in the classroom. It must not be simply to advance the operations of the employer or be the work that a regular employee would routinely perform.
• The skills or knowledge learned must be transferable to other employment settings.
• The experience has a defined beginning and end, and a job description with desired qualifications.
• There are clearly defined learning objectives/goals related to the professional goals of the student’s academic coursework.
• There is supervision by a professional with expertise and educational and/or professional background in the field of the experience.
• There is routine feedback by the experienced supervisor.
• There are resources, equipment, and facilities provided by the host employer that support learning objectives/goals.

Finding an Intern

Whether the internship is paid or unpaid, post the position to Handshake. In addition, spread the word via:

• Facebook or LinkedIn
• Contact Nancy at Career Services (701.777.2117) for help with additional ideas

When to Post the Internship

• Spring Internships (post in September/October)
• Summer Internships (post in February/March or sooner)
• Fall Internships (post in March/April)

Things to Consider Before Posting

• Consider salary and how many hours are available. Many students may be replacing their part-time work with this internship, so a competitive wage will help secure the best candidate.
  • $10 is average/20 hours per week for undergraduate students
  • $12 is average for graduate students
• Establish a duration. Typically an academic semester or three months during the summer.
• Write a job description with real work assignments and defined objectives. Outline the work expected.
• Determine which projects are available. Does your staff have projects that could benefit from the focused attention of an intern? Research? Special projects?
• How many interns are needed?
• Is there a learning experience for the student?
• Consider space. Will the student need a desk, computer, phone, etc.? Do you have the physical resources?
• Get company buy-in and support from those who will be involved.

Hiring Next Steps

• Review student's resumes
• Interview (either within your company or reserve a room on campus, 701.777.2117)
• For paid internships: Select and hire just as you would for permanent positions
• For unpaid internships: Select and hire just as you would for permanent positions AND submit the Internship Agreement--Unpaid on page 14 of the UND Internship Guide for Off-Campus Employers if the person you hire is a University of North Dakota student
• Plan orientation and training.

Assign a Supervisor

Involve the supervisor in writing the job description. The supervisor should also be part of the hiring. They have insight to the skill set needed. The supervisor should be available throughout the internship and help orient the intern regarding processes and procedures.

Assign a Mentor

Someone in addition to the supervisor, available to offer guidance on the work environment, office etiquette, and answer general questions (could include a tour of the facilities, introductions to other staff, and other ways to make them feel welcome and ensure success).

Reporting Co-Ops or Intern in Handshake

We suggest providing a business card of their direct supervisor that includes the following information:

• Company Name
• Address, phone number, and email

Other information to include:

• Wage
• Number of hours working
• Start date and end date

Job Objectives and Evaluations

Students are asked to provide 3 - 5 job related objectives for each semester they are enrolled in a co-op/internship course. It is helpful to the student if you review these objectives with them to be sure they relate to the job responsibilities they will be doing. Student then turn this in on Handshake and the Faculty Coordinator will approve or suggest updates.

The student's direct supervisor will be asked to fill out an evaluation mid-way through each semester and at the end of each semester they are enrolled in a co-op/internship. The evaluation will be sent via email through Handshake. Please watch your junk and clutter folders, too, as sometimes Outlook sends them there.

Once completed, a report regarding mid-term and final evaluations is sent to the Faculty Coordinator by the Career Services office. Some majors require that the site supervisor also approve the student's experience through a Handshake email approval process.