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Considering USA Students for Internships?

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The University of South Alabama Career Development welcomes opportunities to partner with companies and organizations interested in hosting students for internship and co-op positions.

Why recruit a Co-op or Intern?

  • A consistent source of highly motivated pre-professionals who bring new energy to your organization.
  • Increased visibility of your organization on campus.  
  • Proven, cost-effective means to grow recruitment and retention.
  • Development of supervisory/management skills for staff who mentor intern or co-op students.

If you have overall questions, please contact USA Career Development at (251) 460-6188 or contact Keniesha Fields, Coordinator, Internship Programs for more information.

What are my options?

  • Internships are carefully monitored work experiences in which a student has intentional learning outcomes and reflects actively on their learning and professional development throughout the experience. 
  • Internships may consist of a one-time experience over a single semester or may be ongoing while the student is in school. 
  • Internships can be either part-time or full-time.
  • The internship experience is related to the student’s area of academic study and work terms follow the academic calendar.
    • Fall (Aug - Dec)
    • Spring (Jan - April)
    • Summer (May - July)
  • Internships can be paid or unpaid.  We recommend employers consider offering some type of compensation when possible.
  • Many programs at USA offer internship opportunities for academic credit. Career Development will post these for-credit internships through Handshake.
  • Academic credit internships ultimately require screening from the academic college/department for consideration as to whether the position meets the standards for course credit.
  • To explore academic credit internship options for your business or non-profit organization, please contact our office at (251) 460-6188 to be connected with the appropriate faculty member in the academic department.
  • The Cooperative Education (Co-op) Program is a professional development education program where students gain practical hands-on experience related to their area of study.
  • Co-op is a multi-work-term agreement usually with the same employer; traditionally with at least three work terms alternated with school terms, resulting in a 5-year degree program.
  • By hiring a co-op your organization will have access to the latest talent pool of potential employees, before they enter the post-grad job market.
  • A co-op term can be treated as a 4-month job interview for your organization.
  • Co-op experiences are paid and work terms follow the academic calendar.
    • Fall (Aug - Dec)
    • Spring (Jan - April)
    • Summer (May - July)
  • To post your paid co-op or internship position, please access the Handshake career management system or contact USA Career Development at (251) 460-6188.

How to get Started?

  1. Post your opportunity in Handshake, our career management system.  If you do not have an account you can easily set one up.  For more details, please contact our office at careerdevelopment@southalabama.edu or (251) 460-6188.  Once the position is posted, it will be reviewed and an announcement will be sent to qualified students as well as to the academic departments.
  2. Review applications that are sent to you. 
  3. Compile a list of students to interview. 
  4. Conduct Interviews.  Telephone, video conference and in-person interviews can be arranged by our office at no cost to you.  Interview rooms are provided on campus or interviews can take place at your business.
  5. Select the student who is the best fit and notify us.  Please notify our office of your intent to hire so that we may initiate the process.
  6. Begin a successful relationship.  Provide a meaningful and educational work experience for the student that is reciprocated to you through effort, enthusiasm, contemporary skills and ideas.

Department of Labor Guidelines

Employers are encouraged to review the Department of Labor's Fact Sheet regarding Internship Programs under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The DOL's fact sheet provides general information on the 7-point test to determine if 'for-profit' employers may provide internships that are unpaid.

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