Internships & Co-ops

• Integrate the academic program with employment in business through connected learning.
• Clarify academic areas of study and personal career goals, enabling an accurate career plan.
• Provide a link to professional markets, improving post-graduation job opportunities.
• Attain a sense of responsibility and dependence on personal judgments, increasing maturity.
• Understand multiple perspectives and increase skills in communication and human relations.
• Become oriented to professional work culture and procedures, building effective and ethical business practices.
  
• Foster an awareness of entrepreneurship.
• Learn the seriousness and benefits of life and self-purpose through career engagement.

• Minimum 120 hours (BA 4890) or 100 hours (COOP 50) completed in 1 semester 
• Supervised by mentor providing insight to career/position (can not be a current BGSU student)
• Working in a professional place (location) of business
• Job duties directly related to career aspirations/degree

NOTE: All rules and guidelines formally presented to you by your employer supersede this information.

• This information will educate you on professional practices in business and industry, providing you knowledge and skills you will need to succeed when you enter the workforce upon graduation.
• Request all employment regulations and guidelines, relevant to your position, from your employer in writing, prior to beginning employment.  This will make you aware of their policies.  Be sure to read them.

ATTENDANCE

• Arrive 15 minutes early and begin work on-time, leave work when approved.
• If you are going to arrive late for work, notify your employer immediately.
• Ask permission if a leave is required during normal working hours for personal appointments (doctor/dentist etc.), in lieu of telling the employer when you will be absent.

MEETING ETIQUETTE

• Be sure to listen carefully to others comments, speak in turn and do not interrupt others.
• Arrive early, do not leave early.  If you arrive at the meeting start time, you’re late.
• Research meeting topic ahead of time, bring something to write with and take notes.
• Do not wait to ask questions after the meeting is over.  State your comment or concern during the meeting.

COMMUNICATION

• If you have a question, ask for clarification.  Do not proceed with an action assuming you are correct.
• VERBAL,  PHONE & CELL PHONE
  • Speak to employers, customers and co-workers politely, professionally and respectfully.
  • Avoid use of slang, profanity and gossip.
  • When leaving messages to voice mail, always leave your name and contact phone #.
  • Do not text, use apps, or talk on your cell phone while at work.
  • Only use your cell phone during employer-approved time periods.
• EMAIL & WRITTEN
  • Use proper addressing formats, greetings such as Good Afternoon, Sincerely, Thank You, etc.
  • Do not use slang or informal language.  All writing should be formal, professional and polite.
  • Do not use “emoticons” and do not write in all lower-case letters at any time.

COMPUTER, INTERNET & TECHNOLOGY USE

• Use computer and internet for work-related tasks and functions.  Personal use is rarely permitted.
• It is not appropriate to wear earphones/headphones/etc. while listening to music or other media unless you are required or directed to do so.  The use of any audio-playing device should be avoided unless approved.

APPEARANCE

• Follow your employer’s dress code.  Do not wear inappropriate or unapproved attire.
• For out of office meetings or events, ask for appropriate dress requirements.  These change depending on the event.
• Guidelines regarding facial hair and good personal hygiene practice should be followed at all times.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Ask your employer for all official information regarding compensation, insurance and all other benefits.  Be sure to acquire all information in writing prior to beginning employment.

REMINDER: You are representing yourself and BGSU, please behave appropriately and professionally.

1. The internship, even though it includes actual operation on the facilities of the employer, is similar to training which would be given in an educational environment;
2. The internship experience is for the benefit of the intern; 
3. The intern does not displace regular employees, but works under close supervision of existing staff;
4. The employer that provides the training derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the intern; and on occasion its operations may actually be impeded; 
5. The intern is not necessarily entitled to a job at the conclusion of the internship; and 
6. The employer and the intern understand that the intern is not entitled to wages for the time spent in the internship

The U.S. Department of Labor has guidelines for those seeking an unpaid internship.

Not all internships advertised by employers are legit.  Some that look promising are really just part-time jobs available to anyone. Possibly mundane busywork, not helping you develop your skills that matter.

Some tips for spotting "less than legitimate" internships:

• The employer doesn’t inquire about your qualifications, experience, background, or interests to determine if you fit the position.
• They promise quick money and lots of it. If it sounds too good to be true, it is.
• The employer doesn’t ask you to complete a job application before making you an offer.
• It’s a small organization you can’t find easily online.
• The message is written in broken-English, signaling a foreign author, fishing for naïve students.
• Their email address is not "company affiliated", they use yahoo.com, gmail,com, etc., the types of emails anyone can get instantly. These are not legitimate.
• The pay is based solely on commission.
• The offices are in a questionable location, such as a warehouse area or a person’s home.
• If your instincts indicate something is not right, trust them.  (or ask us)
  
• You get vague answers to your questions about the work you’d be doing.